Today, September 19, 2023, marks the 10th anniversary of a fateful day in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's history. On this day in 2016, Kinshasa was gripped by violence and bloodshed as protests against President Joseph Kabila's third term mandate turned deadly. Several protesters lost their lives, including nine who were burned to death at the headquarters of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party, which was attacked by Kabila's military.
Moïse Moni Della, President of the National Congress for Democracy (CONADE) and Coordinator of the Camp de la Nation, was among those arrested that day. In a statement, he honored the memory of his fellow fighters who were arrested and those who died on the battlefield. He also expressed gratitude to his lawyers, including Me Georges Kapiamba, Me Landry Pongo, and Me Christian Nkoy, as well as journalists, members of his party, and other opposition leaders.
On September 19, 2016, Moni Della was accused of being the intellectual author of a popular uprising, insurrection, and subversion against the government. He faced the death penalty, but his lawyers raised an exception of unconstitutionality against the law on flagrant proceedings, which was being used by the prosecution to undermine the rights of the defense.
The 2016 crackdown was led by two generals, whose actions resulted in the arrest and elimination of opposition leaders. The offices of several opposition parties, including the UDPS, CONADE, FONUS, and MLP, were attacked and vandalized by Kabila's troops. Moni Della proposed that September 19, 2016, be indelibly inscribed in the country's history and that a memorial be erected at the UDPS headquarters to honor the nine protesters who were burned to death.
In his statement, Moni Della also thanked other key stakeholders who supported him and his fellow opposition leaders during that challenging period. These included the Catholic Church, represented by the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo (CENCO) and the Apostolic Nuncio, human rights organizations, Western embassies, and his family.
The 2016 events marked a significant low point in the country's democratic trajectory. The violent repression of opposition protests and the subsequent trials in flagrance were widely criticized by human rights organizations and the international community.
As the country reflects on this dark chapter in its history, Moni Della's commemoration serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for democracy and human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Key points
- Moïse Moni Della was arrested and tried in flagrance on September 19, 2016, for his role in opposing President Joseph Kabila's third term mandate.
- The 2016 crackdown resulted in the deaths of several protesters, including nine who were burned to death at the UDPS headquarters.
- Moni Della proposed that September 19, 2016, be commemorated as a national day of remembrance for the victims of the 2016 crackdown.
