Threats to freedom of expression and democracy are always worrying, especially when they affect the field of journalism. This is precisely what happened recently in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the arrest of journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala.
In a tweet, MP Claudel-André Lubaya expressed his concern over this arrest, calling it “a threat to democratic freedom of expression and one too many intimidations as the elections approach.” He also called for the immediate release of the journalist.
Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala is a correspondent for Jeune Afrique in Kinshasa, as well as the deputy publishing director of the online media Actualite.cd. He was arrested at N’Djili airport as he was preparing to fly to Lubumbashi as part of a business trip. The reasons for his arrest still remain unknown.
Faced with this situation, several voices have been raised to denounce this attack on press freedom. Jeune Afrique published a press release demanding the immediate release of its correspondent, while expressing its confidence in the Congolese authorities’ attachment to freedom of expression.
For its part, Actualite.cd strongly condemned this pressure exerted on media professionals and also called for the immediate release of Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala.
The organization Human Rights Watch also denounced this attack on press freedom in the DRC and called for the immediate release of the journalist. She reminds us that journalism is not a crime and calls for this to be repeated loud and clear.
The Congolese Association for Access to Justice (ACAJ) emphasizes that this arrest violates Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala’s fundamental right to freedom of movement, as guaranteed by the Congolese constitution.
It is essential to protect and preserve freedom of expression, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Independent media play a crucial role in disseminating reliable information and promoting democratic debate. It is therefore essential to guarantee their freedom of exercise and to ensure that they are not intimidated or hindered in their work.