The Court of Cassation of the Democratic Republic of Congo has postponed the date for the delivery of the verdict in the trial of former UDPS president Jean-Marc Kabund, announcing that the fate of the accused will be known in the coming days.
Jean-Marc Kabund is facing twelve counts, including insulting Parliament, the Government, insulting the Head of State and spreading false rumours. His lawyer, Me Georges Lutula, pleaded in favor of his acquittal, stressing the absence of constituent elements of the offenses with which he is charged.
An elected member of Kinshasa, Kabund joined the opposition after being expelled from the presidential party and resigning from his post as vice-president of the National Assembly. During the trial, he criticized the lack of clear vision, incompetence and predation at the top of the state, according to him characterized by recklessness, irresponsibility and institutionalized mismanagement.
Despite the charges against him, the activists of his party, the Alliance for Change (A.Ch), remain convinced of his acquittal. During the trial, three years in prison were requested against Jean-Marc Kabund by the public prosecutor.
This highly anticipated verdict raises questions about its impact on the Congolese political scene. If convicted, this can cause profound upheavals in the political balance of the country. The next few days will therefore be decisive for the future of Jean-Marc Kabund and his political party.