A tense standoff unfolded at Kinshasa's Cinquantenaire hospital on September 26, as the burial of Manassé Lomboto, a member of the opposition and part of the C64 platform, was suspended. The decision, ordered by the judiciary as part of an ongoing investigation, sparked outrage among Lomboto's fellow militants and family members. They had gathered to pay their respects, only to be told they could not retrieve his body.
Prince Epenge, an opposition figure, expressed his frustration in a video shared on social media, stating that they had arrived to collect Lomboto's body and proceed with the burial, but were instead informed that it was not possible. Epenge claimed that police officers had been deployed to block access to the morgue, and anyone associated with the Lamuka, C64, or ADD Congo movements was being turned away.
According to Epenge, the prosecutor responsible for blocking Lomboto's body had not contacted either the family or the opposition members, and had only suddenly appeared to issue the directive. The opposition had previously accused a movement close to the UDPS of attacking their militants during a march on September 15, resulting in Lomboto's death. The UDPS had denied these allegations.
In response to the incident, the Minister of Justice announced the launch of an investigation to determine responsibility for the unrest that occurred during the march. However, the opposition has since called for the resignation of President Félix Tshisekedi. The situation remains volatile, with tensions running high between the opposition and the government.
The C64 platform, to which Lomboto belonged, had accused the Force du Progrès, a movement close to the UDPS, of attacking their militants and causing Lomboto's death. This accusation was vehemently denied by the UDPS. The incident has further strained relations between the opposition and the government, with the opposition demanding accountability and action from the authorities.
The suspension of Lomboto's burial has sparked widespread condemnation, with many viewing it as an attempt to intimidate and silence the opposition. The situation in Kinshasa remains tense, with the opposition vowing to continue their demands for justice and reform. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging calm and restraint from all parties involved.
As the investigation into Lomboto's death continues, the opposition has reiterated its demands for the resignation of President Tshisekedi, citing concerns over the government's handling of the situation. The government has yet to respond to these demands, but has promised to ensure that the investigation is conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
Key points
- The opposition demands the resignation of President Félix Tshisekedi over the handling of Manassé Lomboto's death.
- The judiciary ordered the suspension of Lomboto's burial as part of an ongoing investigation.
- The incident has further strained relations between the opposition and the government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
