Title: Chérubin Okende: An assassination that shakes Kinshasa and worries the opposition
Introduction :
The tragic death of Chérubin Okende, national deputy and former Minister of Transport, has shocked the population of Kinshasa and raised concern among political opponents. His lifeless body was discovered abandoned on a heavy goods vehicle in the early morning of Thursday July 13, 2023, leaving his family and colleagues in shock and questioning. While the exact circumstances of his death remain unclear, multiple sources claim he was shot and killed in his vehicle. This heinous and worrying act reinforces the already strong tensions between the opponents and the power in place, in particular in view of the general elections scheduled for December 2023.
The journey of Chérubin Okende:
Chérubin Okende was not only a committed national deputy, but also a right arm of Moïse Katumbi, an opposition figure and former governor of Katanga province. He had held the post of Minister of Transport and was the spokesman for Katumbi’s party “Together for the Republic”. His loyalty to Katumbi had led him to resign from the Sama Lukonde government, thus marking his opposition to the Tshisekedi regime.
Growing tensions between power and opposition:
The political context in the Democratic Republic of Congo is marked by growing tensions between the power in place and the opposition. The question of the organization of general elections in December 2023 is a matter of major concern. While the opposition insists on the need for free and transparent elections, the power in place is accused of seeking to restrict democratic freedoms and maintain its grip on the political system.
The assassination of Chérubin Okende thus reinforces the fears of opponents as to their safety and their possible political relentlessness. This criminal act also raises questions about the independence of the judiciary and the government’s ability to ensure the safety of its citizens.
Conclusion :
The tragic death of Chérubin Okende in Kinshasa deeply shocked the Congolese population and raised concern among the political opposition. This assassination, the precise circumstances of which have yet to be clarified, underlines the growing tensions between the ruling power and the opposition, exacerbated by the issues surrounding the general elections scheduled for December 2023. It highlights the challenges facing democracy. in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and raises questions about the state of security and judicial independence in the country