Political news in the DRC: The trial of former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon retained by default by the Constitutional Court
In a controversial decision, the Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has decided to try “by default” former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon, who is being prosecuted for alleged embezzlement of funds intended for the erection of the park agro-industrial plant of Bukanga-Lonzo in the province of Kwango. This decision was taken despite requests for postponement from Matata Ponyo’s lawyers, who cited the illness of their client, currently undergoing treatment abroad.
The decision of the Constitutional Court provoked strong reactions from the defense of Matata Ponyo, who denounced a lack of respect for the right of defense. According to Laurent Onyemba, member of the former Prime Minister’s collective of lawyers, this decision is unfair and does not respect the fundamental principles of law.
Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon is accused of having embezzled the sum of 205 million US dollars, which was intended for the construction of the Bukanga-Lonzo agro-industrial park. The General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) had already published a report in November 2020 confirming these embezzlements. Matata Ponyo has always denied these accusations.
This affair is of great political importance, because Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon is also a candidate in the presidential election in the DRC. His candidacy was validated by the Electoral Center before the decision of the Constitutional Court. The latter will now have to decide whether Matata Ponyo’s candidacy can be maintained, in accordance with the law.
The course of the trial will finally shed light on the Bukanga-Lonzo agro-industrial park affair and determine the possible responsibility of Matata Ponyo in the embezzlement. This case also raises questions about the fairness and impartiality of the justice system in the DRC, as well as political influence in the decisions of the Constitutional Court.
It remains to be seen how this affair will evolve and what the political consequences will be for Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon. In the meantime, public opinion is waiting for answers and transparency in this affair which arouses the interest of many Congolese.
(Text written by a copywriter specialized in writing blog articles on the internet)