Highlights: In Paris, a rally in support of Congolese journalist Stanis Bujakera. This journalist, correspondent for several media outlets in Congo, has been in prison for more than six months for an article published and unsigned in Jeune Afrique. He implicates military intelligence in the assassination of former minister Chérubin Okende. The verdict is expected by March 20. Those close to Stanis, warn: whatever the court decision, they will not give up and they will continue to denounce a file that they believe was fabricated to harm the journalist.

This Friday, March 15, Reporter Without Borders and Jeune Afrique called for a rally in front of the embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Paris to raise awareness about Stanis' situation...

In Paris, a rally in support of Congolese journalist Stanis Bujakera

This Friday, March 15, Reporter Without Borders and Jeune Afrique called for a rally in front of the embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Paris to raise awareness about the situation of Stanis Bujakera.

This journalist, correspondent for several media outlets in Congo, has been in prison for more than six months for an article published and unsigned in Jeune Afrique, implicating military intelligence in the assassination of former minister Chérubin Okende.

Congolese journalist Stanis Bujakera.

By: RFI Follow

Colleagues, colleagues, but also members of RSF;

There were around fifty of them in front of the DRC embassy in Paris this Friday to raise awareness about the fate of Stanis Bujakera.

Anne Kappes-Grangé, editor-in-chief of

Jeune Afrique

, holds a poster on which “FreeStanis” is written.

And the face of Stanislas Bujakera is also displayed on the illuminated panels of an advertising bus rented for the occasion.

The objective of this “punch” action for Marwane Ben Yahmed, the director of

Jeune Afrique

, is first of all to send a message to Stanis Bujakera, “

and once again to express all our support, that he know that we are here and that we will do everything.
We have already done a lot of things, but we will continue to do as much intervention as possible, and to express our support so that he is released.

The message sent to the Congolese authorities is that they will not give up, warns Arnaud Froger, the head of RSF's investigation desk: "

The idea today is to say that we will continue to mobilize for the release of this journalist .
And it is not just his fate that is at stake, but the fate of the entire press and journalists in Congo.
If tomorrow you can be arrested, go to court and be sentenced to a very heavy sentence on the basis of completely trumped-up charges, obviously these are not very strong incentives to practice the profession throughout the country.

His relatives denounce a ludicrous affair

For Anne Bocande, editorial director of RSF, it is important that the editorial staff of

Jeune Afrique

be brought together in numbers alongside the RSF team.

“

We need to raise awareness about this affair which is ludicrous.
And asking for 20

years in prison is truly a scandal and it is important that the world knows it.

Twenty years in prison is the indictment of the public prosecutor.

Since then, there has been a lot of waiting and worry for his loved ones and colleagues, like Vincent Duhem, from

: “

We have a lump in our stomach, because we no longer know what to expect.
Each decision taken by the Congolese justice system is more inconsistent and unexpected.
After the president's remarks, it took us a few days to try to decipher them.
We said to ourselves that in all configurations it could be positive and there, there is that.
We really don't know what's going to happen and that's what's most worrying.

Those close to Stanis Bujakera warn: whatever the court decision, they will not give up and they will continue to denounce a file that they believe was fabricated to harm the journalist.

The verdict is expected by March 20.

🔴 “We often have empty files concerning journalists at RSF.

This is a fabricated file.

RSF and @jeuneafrique were in front of @AmbardcParis to call for the release of Stanis Bujakera who risks 20 years in prison in #DRC.#FreeStanis pic.twitter.com/FTeXyhBRFO

— RSF (@RSF_inter) March 15, 2024

Read alsoTrial of Congolese journalist Stanis Bujakera: “The rejection of his request for provisional freedom is astonishing”

In Paris, a rally in support of Congolese journalist Stanis Bujakera

In Paris, a rally in support of Congolese journalist Stanis Bujakera

His relatives denounce a ludicrous affair

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest