Arrest of journalist Stanis Bujakera and restriction of press freedom in the DRC
On September 8, journalist Stanis Bujakera was arrested at N’djili airport, in Kinshasa, as he was preparing to take a flight to Lubumbashi. Since then, he has been remanded in custody under arrest warrant. This arrest sparked strong reactions from the National Congress for the Defense of Congo (CNDC), which denounced the circumstances and procedure of this arrest.
In a press release published on September 12, the CNDC strongly condemns this arrest and calls for the immediate release of Stanis Bujakera. According to them, the journalist is not a criminal and there is no reason to fear his escape. For the CNDC, this arrest confirms the growing restriction of press freedom in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This worrying situation is unfortunately not an isolated case. The CNDC recalls in particular the expulsion of the head of the Reuters bureau in November 2022 and the eviction of the AFP office in Kinshasa, following a land conflict. These attacks on freedom of expression are denounced not only by the CNDC, but also by the joint United Nations Human Rights office in the DRC.
The CNDC also denounces the policy of double standards in matters of justice. While journalists and human rights defenders face often abusive legal proceedings, perpetrators of corruption continue to walk free and even be rewarded. For the CNDC, freedom of information, the defense of human rights and the fight against corruption are non-negotiable principles, which must not be sold.
The arrest of Stanis Bujakera and the increasing restrictions on press freedom are alarming signals for democracy in the DRC, especially as elections approach. To guarantee a better future for the country, it is essential to have a strong, independent press capable of playing its role as a counter-power. The CNDC therefore calls for the immediate release of Stanis Bujakera and the protection of press freedom in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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