Fatshimetry: Endless hearings at the trial of the May 19 coup attempt in Kinshasa
The trial of the attempted coup d’état that occurred on May 19 in Kinshasa fascinates the crowds and raises many questions. The hearings of defendants and witnesses continued this Friday, July 26, before the Kinshasa – Gombe garrison military court, located at Ndolo prison. The court was the scene of the testimony of seven defendants, who unanimously pointed the finger at the American Zalman Benjamin as being the mastermind of the operation, the one who gave orders and manipulated the drone used for surveillance of Vital’s residence Kamerhe.
Among the witnesses on the stand, a police officer in charge of guarding the residence of the President of the National Assembly, who survived the attack on May 19, gave a poignant account of what he experienced that day -there. According to his testimony, he was supposed to serve as a guide to potential attackers in order to facilitate their intrusion into Kamerhe’s residence, before the imminent arrival of military reinforcements.
The poignant stories and disturbing revelations heard during these hearings reinforce the intensity of the debates and the complexity of the case. The involvement of a foreign national in an attempted coup d’état on Congolese soil calls into question and raises numerous questions about the transnational links that may exist behind this significant event.
Beyond the hearings, this trial highlights the major issues of political stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The in-depth investigations and revelations during the testimony highlight the crucial importance of justice in preserving public order and the integrity of democratic institutions.
In short, the trial of the May 19 coup attempt in Kinshasa turns out to be a key moment for Congolese justice, but also for the consolidation of democracy in the country. The current revelations reveal an unexpected complexity and remind us of the fundamental importance of transparency and truth for the construction of a just and balanced society. The continuation of the hearings still promises many twists and turns and raises crucial issues for the future of the Congo and its governance.