Elections in DRC: a senior member of candidate Moïse Katumbi's party dies during a trip to the east of the country
A senior member of opposition leader Moïse Katumbi's party was killed and several others injured on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, in Kindu, eastern DRC, where the opposition leader arrived as part of his campaign for the December 20 presidential election. This is the first major incident since the beginning of this election campaign, which is taking place in a tense political climate.
DRC presidential candidate Moïse Katumbi arrives at Beni airport in North Kivu on November 26, 2023. © ARLETTE BASHIZI / REUTERS
By: RFI Follow
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With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Pascal Mulegwa
The atmosphere was already tense long before the landing of Moïse Katumbi's plane, as the authorities had forbidden the opponent to hold his rally at the Central Tribune of the main artery of the city of Kindu.
Upon his arrival, Katumbi and his allies, including former Prime Minister Matata Ponyo and Seth Kikuni, were cheered and followed by crowds into the streets before the rally was relocated. It was on the approach to the governor's residence that the opponent and his supporters were attacked with stones thrown by youths believed to belong to the president's party.
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Stoned," according to his party
At the head of the procession, Dido Kakisingi, youth leader of Moïse Katumbi's Together for the Republic party in Kindu, was hit by a projectile. On the ground, he was severely beaten to death, according to his party, claiming that he was simply "stoned".
But according to the mayor of Kindu, he fell from a vehicle in the procession before being stamped. The police intervened, firing live ammunition. In the aftermath, several other injuries were recorded.
These incidents did not slow down Moïse Katumbi's campaign procession, which held its rally to solicit the vote of the population.
Read alsoElections in the DRC: towards a withdrawal of the observers from the European Union?
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