In Haut-Katanga, the Mulonde airfield has recently undergone rehabilitation, which has sparked strong reactions from several non-governmental organizations and members of civil society in the region. Among them, Justicia Asbl, the Human Rights Research Institute (IRDH) and the Center for Justice and Reconciliation have expressed their concerns about this rehabilitation carried out by opponent Moïse Katumbi without the authorization of the civil aviation authorities.
According to these NGOs, this rehabilitation seems to be used as a pretext, or even an abuse of power, and may have even led to the arrest of one of Moïse Katumbi’s drivers in connection with this case. The three organizations published a report highlighting the conditions of detention of this driver, denouncing in particular his isolation and the ban on visits from his family and lawyers. They strongly recommended his release or transfer to a competent judge to receive a fair defense.
This report also accuses the authorities of seeking to justify this arrest by invoking serious accusations such as conspiracy or attacks against state security. However, the NGOs point out that no concrete evidence was found during the investigation to support such allegations, thus calling into question the legitimacy of this arrest.
Furthermore, civil society organizations recalled that the Mulonde airfield is a historic site dating back to 1959 and having changed owners several times before being transferred again to Moïse Katumbi. They made recommendations to the political and security authorities to shed light on this case and guarantee rights and justice for all parties concerned.
In conclusion, this Mulonde airfield case reveals the complexity of political and security issues in the DRC. The NGOs call for transparency, respect for human rights and justice to ensure fair treatment of those involved. It is now up to the competent authorities to take concrete measures to resolve this case in accordance with the law and fairness.
In a context where political tensions are palpable, it is essential to guarantee a fair and equitable judicial process to avoid any abuse of power and ensure the protection of everyone’s fundamental rights. It is by strengthening the rule of law and promoting transparency that the DRC can hope to move towards a more just and peaceful society for all its citizens.