Arrest of journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala in the DRC: A hard blow for press freedom
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Alarming news shook the Congolese media scene with the arrest of journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala. Renowned correspondent for Jeune Afrique and Reuters, he also served as deputy director of the Actualités.cd site. The arrest of Bujakera Tshiamala, which occurred at Kinshasa airport, sparked strong reactions from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which denounces arbitrary detention and calls for his immediate release.
The reasons for his arrest are based on accusations of “spreading false rumors” and “disseminating false information”. These accusations date back to the publication of an article on the Jeune Afrique website, concerning the death of a deputy and former minister of transport, Chérubin Okende Senga. The article in question, signed “the editorial staff”, refers to a report from the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) implicating soldiers from the military intelligence staff in this death.
However, according to Bujakera Tshiamala’s lawyers, under Congolese law, he cannot be held responsible for the content of this article. In addition, his interactions with the media for which he works were examined, his electronic devices were confiscated and he remains detained at Gombe prison in Kinshasa.
RSF is sounding the alarm on the fragility of press freedom in the DRC. Bujakera Tshiamala, as a renowned journalist and correspondent for several international media, should not be imprisoned for the exercise of his profession. RSF, while demanding the release of the journalist, calls on the Congolese authorities to guarantee respect for press freedom and to put an end to all forms of repression against journalists.
This arrest also highlights political tensions in the DRC, in the run-up to the presidential elections scheduled for December. RSF is concerned about the growing pressure on journalists and the media, who are not only physically attacked, but also threatened with abusive legal proceedings.
The precarious situation of press freedom in the DRC requires international mobilization to defend the rights of journalists and guarantee transparency in upcoming elections. Journalists must be able to exercise their profession in complete independence and the truth must be freely reported, without fear of repression or intimidation.
It is essential that the international community mobilizes to put pressure on the Congolese authorities and demand the immediate release of journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala. Press freedom is the fundamental pillar of a democratic society, and it is our duty to protect and promote it everywhere.