Dr. Oly Ilunga, former Minister of Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is free today after serving a five-year sentence in Makala Central Prison. His conviction for embezzlement of public funds, handed down in March 2020, marked the culmination of a case that hit the headlines and sparked strong reactions.
At the heart of this case are accusations of embezzlement of funds allocated to the fight against the Ebola epidemic between December 2018 and June 2019. Amounts allocated, however, in complete legality, according to Dr. Ilunga, who has always maintained that he acted in accordance with procedures and with the required transparency.
However, the courts found that there were irregularities in the management of these funds, leading to the conviction of the minister and his financial advisor. A sentence of five years of forced labor that was contested by Oly Ilunga’s relatives, denouncing an alleged injustice and proclaiming his innocence.
The conviction of the former Minister of Health also had repercussions on his political rights, with a ban on voting, being eligible, or benefiting from parole for five years after his release from prison. A measure that has sparked criticism and reactions, particularly at the international level.
Indeed, Dr. Ilunga’s lawyers have seized the United Nations Human Rights Committee to denounce violations of the rights of the defense and a deprivation of liberty deemed illegal. This approach underlines the magnitude of the issues related to this case and raises fundamental questions about respect for human rights and the rule of law in the DRC.
Thus, the release of Oly Ilunga marks an important step in this complex case, but also raises questions about the independence of justice and respect for legal procedures in the country. This affair will undoubtedly remain in memories as a significant episode in Congolese political history, raising questions about the issues of transparency and good governance in the management of public affairs.