DRC: Death of chief of military intelligence causes controversy

Text by: RFI Follow

General Delphin Kahimbi, head of military intelligence, was found dead in his residence last Friday. Suspected of links with armed groups and of attempted destabilization, he had been summoned several times in recent days to answer these accusations.

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With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Kamanda Wa Kamanda

At the time of his death, General Delphin Kahimbi was under house arrest, at his home, under the responsibility of the military prosecutor's office. An investigation has been opened. Pending the outcome, his death has sparked controversy within the ruling coalition. The national deputy FCC (Common Front for the Congo of former President Joseph Kabila), Félix Kabange Numbi, implicates the soldiers of the civil house of the Head of State who were allegedly seen at the residence of General Delphin Kahimbi.

" When he was disarmed by - I say - elements committed in the care of the civilian house of the Head of State, what exactly happened? Because we realize that it was after the disarmament of his guard, that another guard was committed to him and that a mysterious death occurred the same night ", estimates Félix Kabange Numbi.

" Let us await the conclusions of the investigation "

Suspicious statement, retorts Jean-Marc Kabund. For the first vice-president of the National Assembly, also interim president of the UDPS (Union for Democracy and Social Progress), the presidential party, the FCC wants to incriminate the camp of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi.

" Because, when we talk about the civil house, we index the head of state. This absurd attitude, even a ridiculous one, must stop. Otherwise, it will give the impression that the FCC continues to politicize the army, going even further, to make it appear that it still has a stranglehold on the senior officers of the army. "

The president of the National Agreement Follow-up Council (CNSA) , Joseph Olengankoy, calls for restraint. He also recalls that the army is apolitical. " We are awaiting the conclusions of the investigation, " he said.

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