Title: Delly Sesanga victim of incidents upon arrival in Kananga: Political violence to the detriment of freedom of expression
Introduction :
Last Sunday, the national deputy and candidate for the next presidential election, Delly Sesanga, faced violent incidents when he arrived in Kananga, in the province of Kasaï-Central. Accusing the supporters of the power in place of being responsible for these acts, Delly Sesanga strongly condemned this political violence, underlining the confidence that his father, Étienne Tshisekedi, had in the democratic game. This article reviews the facts and highlights the issues of political violence against freedom of expression.
Violence as a political means:
Delly Sesanga’s procession was the target of projectiles during its journey from the airport to downtown Kananga. Hit in the head by one of these projectiles, Delly Sesanga affirms that this will not deter him from continuing his fight for the refoundation of the State. This political violence is symptomatic of a climate of insecurity and intimidation that reigns in certain Congolese political circles. Instead of a debate of ideas and a pluralist democratic exercise, some actors prefer to resort to violence to stifle the voice of their opponents.
Trust in freedom of expression:
Delly Sesanga’s reaction highlights the contrast between Etienne Tshisekedi’s confidence in freedom of expression and the use of violence by the current power. This confidence in the free expression of ideas is essential in a healthy democratic process. It allows for constructive debate, fair electoral competition and the emulation of ideas to find the best solutions. Political violence is not only reprehensible, it also reflects a lack of confidence in oneself and in one’s ideas.
The need to guarantee freedom of expression:
These incidents occurring in a pre-election context underline the importance of guaranteeing freedom of expression during an election period. Candidates must be able to express their ideas, confront each other publicly and convince voters in complete safety. The authorities therefore have a crucial role to play in ensuring a climate of serenity and mutual respect between the various political actors. Only genuine freedom of expression can guarantee democratic and transparent elections.
Conclusion :
The incident that occurred when Delly Sesanga arrived in Kananga is a tragic illustration of the political violence that persists in certain Congolese circles. By strongly condemning these acts, Delly Sesanga recalls the importance of trust in freedom of expression and the need to guarantee a serene political climate, conducive to constructive democratic debate.. The authorities must assume their responsibilities in order to prevent such acts and to allow a fair and democratic electoral process