DRC: Monusco says it was not asked to investigate the death of Kahimbi

Text by: RFI Follow

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), ten days after the death in conditions not yet elucidated of General Delphin Kahimbi, close to the former Congolese president, many questions arise about the investigations under way.

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In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while the investigation has been officially in the hands of military justice since this tragedy, the words attributed to President Félix Tshisekedi during the Council of Ministers on March 6 seem to indicate that he would have asked Monusco to launch an independent investigation, which denies the UN mission in the country.

President Tshisekedi's words were, however, very clear. He had informed members of his government, according to a report by the government spokesman, that he had " decided to launch an independent investigation on the initiative of Monusco ".

" Very good initiative " welcomed on March 9 a senior official of the FCC [Common Front for the Congo], speaking of a " decision likely to build confidence in the results of the investigation under way into the disappearance of the general Delphin Kahimbi ”. " Even President Tshisekedi spoke of a death by hanging without specifying whether it was done by himself or by a hand other than his, " the source said.

Problem, Monusco claims to have received no request in this direction, but its spokesperson acknowledges that the UN Mission gave its " support " to an investigation carried out on the initiative of the Congolese justice. " We have provided technical and scientific support at the request of the Congolese authorities," explains Mathias Gillmann, spokesperson for the UN mission. This is an investigation by the national judicial authorities, not on the initiative of the [UN] Mission but on the initiative of the Congolese authorities and we will not comment on an investigation which is not only under way, but also diligent and led by the national authorities ”.

Contacted by RFI , the deputy spokesperson for the presidency returned the ball to the court of the Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Jolino Makelele, responsible for drafting the minutes of the Council of Ministers, who could be reached.

► DRC: President Félix Tshisekedi speaks on the death of General Kahimbi

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