**Fatshimetrie, August 2, 2024**
This Friday’s session, devoted to the failed coup d’état case, was postponed to Monday, August 5, 2024 due to the absence of defense lawyers before the Kinshasa-Gombe garrison military court, sitting exceptionally at Ndolo prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Presiding judge Freddy Manzambi justified this postponement by emphasizing the importance of the presence of defense lawyers to allow the defendants to benefit from an adequate defense and thus guarantee respect for the principle of a fair trial.
The 51 defendants face serious charges such as terrorism, illegal possession of weapons of war, attempted assassination, criminal conspiracy, murder and financing of terrorism. These offences may be punishable by penalties up to and including the death penalty, a sentence that, let us recall, was reinstated following the lifting of the moratorium on 13 March 2024.
This case, which raises high tensions and arouses the interest of the Congolese population, highlights the crucial issues of justice and national security in a context of political fragility. Current events reveal the need to guarantee fair and transparent trials, while respecting the rights of the defence and democratic principles.
The holding of this trial highlights the challenges facing the Congolese justice system, particularly in the fight against terrorism and organised crime. It also highlights the importance of strengthening judicial institutions and ensuring that each individual benefits from a legal and fair defence, in accordance with international human rights standards.
Indeed, respect for the fundamental principles of justice is essential to guaranteeing stability and social cohesion in a country plagued by numerous political and security tensions. The current case is therefore a crucial test for the Congolese justice system, which is called upon to demonstrate its impartiality and commitment to the rule of law.
In a context marked by political instability and security challenges, it is essential to ensure that justice is rendered fairly, transparently and in compliance with the rights of all citizens, regardless of their origin, status or opinions. It is by guaranteeing access to fair justice for all that the Democratic Republic of Congo will be able to progress on the path to democracy and social justice.
*Fatshimetrie highlights the crucial issues of justice and national security in a context of political fragility.*