In a relentless quest for truth and justice, Congo-Brazzaville remains marked by the mystery surrounding the assassinations of President Marien Ngouabi and Cardinal Archbishop Émile Biayenda in 1977. These tragic events, which occurred just days apart, continue to haunt the collective imagination and raise profound questions about those responsible for these crimes.
Forty-seven years have passed since those dark days of March 1977, and yet no one can say with certainty who orchestrated these assassinations. This persistent impunity leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of those desperately seeking the truth about these traumatic events in Congolese history.
The recent initiative by President Denis Sassou-Nguesso for the beatification of Cardinal Biayenda at the Vatican once again raises the question of justice and collective memory. By advocating for religious recognition of the figure of the cardinal, is the Congolese head of state seeking to appease consciences or to divert attention from the nation’s troubled past?
For historian Florence Pernault, a specialist in Central Africa, this quest for truth about the assassinations of Ngouabi and Biayenda is essential for understanding Congolese political history and for building a more just and transparent society. In a context where collective memory is often instrumentalized for political ends, it is imperative to shed light on these dark episodes of the past so that the nation can move forward in full conscience.
Beyond conjecture and suppositions, the truth about these assassinations remains elusive. However, the perseverance of researchers, historians and human rights defenders is a guarantee of hope that light will one day be shed on these heinous crimes. By honoring the memory of Ngouabi and Biayenda, Congo-Brazzaville pays tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and justice, and reminds the world of the importance of truth as a fundamental pillar of any democratic and equitable society.