Kinshasa, October 27, 2024. The christening of the book entitled “Franck Ngyke Kangundu: Tragic Destiny of a Knight of Freedom” is a major event that will soon be held at the Bibliothèque Wallonie Bruxelles in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. This ceremony, scheduled for November 5, promises to be a moment rich in emotion and in homage to an exceptional man.
This book, carried by the author Grâce Ngyke Kangundu, highlights the tragic destiny of Franck Ngyke Kangundu, a true knight of freedom. His commitment to truth and democracy left its mark and his sacrifice, alongside his wife Hélène Mpaka, profoundly marked the history of the press in the DRC.
Through the pages of this book, it is a vibrant tribute that is paid to this exceptional couple, but it is also a voice that rises in favor of the orphans left by 21 journalists assassinated in the DRC between 1997 and 2023. These men and women of the pen paid with their lives for their commitment to freedom of expression and democracy, and it is crucial not to forget their sacrifice.
By inviting political, legal, economic figures as well as national and international media to participate in this tribute and opening ceremony, the Congolese Association of Women Journalists of the Written Press (ACOFEPE) is calling for solidarity and recognition of these heroes of information.
On November 5, at the Bibliothèque Wallonie Bruxelles in Kinshasa, the christening of the book “Franck Ngyke Kangundu: Tragic Destiny of a Knight of Freedom” will be much more than a simple book presentation. This will be a moment of reflection, remembrance and commitment to ensure that press freedom in the DRC remains an ongoing struggle, a struggle for which Franck Ngyke Kangundu and so many others gave their lives.
At a time when the end of impunity for crimes against journalists is being celebrated worldwide, it is essential to remember those who paid the highest price to defend freedom of expression. Their legacy must inspire future generations to continue this struggle, to defend press freedom and to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for this noble cause.