DRC: General Kahimbi, boss of military intelligence, suspended

Text by: RFI Follow

General Delphin Kahimbi, deputy chief of staff of the FARDC and head of the country's military intelligence, is the subject of an internal investigation for which the official reasons are still unknown.

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General Delphin Kahimbi has been suspended from his duties, say several sources in Kinshasa, from the presidency to Western chancelleries. The military has not officially announced anything. One of Joseph Kabila's relatives, Delphin Kahimbi, he remained chief of military intelligence despite the coming to power of Félix Tshisekedi, like most of the heads of the security services. He is not the only general to have been summoned. But this suspension is already making a lot of noise on social networks.

The United States was probably the quickest to respond, even before the official announcement. The information went very quickly, from the ambassador in Kinshasa to the Secretary of State for Africa who on Twitter said he was delighted to " see the government of the DRC take measures to end the impunity ”.

As we have consistently said, those who are corrupt, commit human rights abuses or disrupt the democratic process must be held accountable. https://t.co/TMWvcrGUTf

Same tone of the American special envoy to the Great Lakes Peter Pham who was recently visiting Kinshasa and recalls having reaffirmed on this occasion that no one should be above the law.

It was by quoting George Washington that Senator Francine Muyamba replied on social networks to what she called foreign interference. In RFI, this relative of Joseph Kabila affirmed that the American officials should observe a duty of reserve and understand that there is a presumption of innocence, adds Francine Muyumba.

General Kahimbi has been summoned twice and heard on several files, we recognize in the ranks of the coalition of the former president. But at this stage, the head of military intelligence is not prosecuted, we are assured.

But what is the officer exactly accused of? We will not know: “ We can only speak of an accusation when there is convincing facts. But here, it is a question of carrying out an investigation which will determine if there is anything and at that time one will be able to speak about charges ”, explains Léon Richard Kasonga, the spokesman of the army.

In the event of allegations or attacks undermining the credibility of our army, an investigation is automatically organized so as to establish our authority, to reaffirm our solid posture of disciplined army. So an internal investigation is carried out to be able to see what is happening.

Léon Richard Kasonga, army spokesperson

Man under sanctions for three years

The reason for his summons is still unclear. Some sources speak of an unauthorized trip to South Africa to purchase listening devices. Others of rights violations or financial embezzlement.

It is the second pillar of the Kabila regime to be held accountable in a few days after former head of the national intelligence agency Kalev Mutond. General Delphin Kahimbi remained unreachable yesterday to answer questions from RFI.

General Kahimbi has been under European and American sanctions since 2016, he is suspected of human rights violations.

Acting as head of military intelligence is entrusted to General Mandiangu, according to a source at the presidency.

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