The recent arrest in Kinshasa of Delly Sesanga, president of the Envol party, and Bernadette Tokwaulu, a political figure of the “Sursaut national” platform, shook the Congolese political scene. These events generated strong reactions from political actors, revealing the tensions and divergences within the political landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The contrasting reactions of the main Congolese political actors illustrate the polarization that reigns at the heart of the current political debate. Moïse Katumbi and Martin Fayulu rebelled against what they perceive as an authoritarian drift of the government in place, denouncing an attack on freedom of expression and democracy. For them, each repressive gesture against the opposition and civil society is a step further towards authoritarianism and the violation of fundamental rights.
On the other hand, voices within the presidential majority downplay these arrests, arguing that they were carried out for reasons of security and maintaining public order. Augustin Kabuya, Secretary General of the presidential party, claims that the evacuation of Delly Sesanga was aimed at preventing any potential incident that could then be used for political purposes. According to this line of thinking, it was a question of protecting the integrity of those arrested while preserving calm during the awareness-raising activity.
The intervention of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Interior and Security underlines the importance of respecting the rights and freedoms of all citizens, including political actors. He insists on the need to collaborate with local authorities to ensure a peaceful climate that respects democratic rules. This approach aims to reconcile the exercise of freedom of expression with the imperatives of security and stability of the State.
This case highlights the complex issues facing Congolese democracy. The coexistence of opposing visions regarding the exercise of power and the organization of society underlines the need for a constructive and respectful dialogue between the different political forces. The defense of fundamental rights and democratic principles must remain at the heart of public debate, in order to guarantee a peaceful and prosperous future for all citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo.