In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the debate over the nationality of opponent Moïse Katumbi is raging. The former Minister of Justice, Alexis Thambwe Mwamba, intervenes in this controversy by putting an end to the “false debate” around Katumbi’s nationality. In an interview with RFI, Thambwe Mwamba claims to have issued a nationality certificate to the opponent in 2015 and that he never canceled it.
According to Thambwe Mwamba, there is a “national hypocrisy” around the question of Congolese nationality. He explains that he had no proof that Katumbi was Italian and that the documents sent by Katumbi’s lawyer had confirmed that the municipality of residence did not recognize his Italian nationality. Thus, for Thambwe Mwamba, this matter is now closed and should not be used to prevent Katumbi from running in the presidential election.
The former Minister of Justice also highlights the support of the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, who himself ordered the issuance of Katumbi’s passport in 2019. According to Thambwe Mwamba, it would be immoral to oppose Katumbi’s supposed past with another nationality, and he advocates letting the opponent stand in the election.
This intervention by Alexis Thambwe Mwamba sheds new light on the question of Moïse Katumbi’s nationality and highlights the inconsistency and hypocrisy surrounding this debate. While the Constitutional Court has yet to rule on the presidential candidacies, it is important to consider the arguments presented by Thambwe Mwamba and allow the free participation of all candidates. This would ensure a transparent and democratic presidential election in the Democratic Republic of Congo.