In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the assassination of Chérubin Okende, National Deputy and communicator for the Republic, a party dear to Moïse Katumbi, continues to raise questions and controversies. Assassinated on July 13, 2023, Okende has not yet been buried, with the circumstances of his death remaining undetermined.
Authorities Under Fire
The political family of the deceased, with Moïse Katumbi at the forefront, accuses the authorities of doing nothing to find the murderers. Chérubin Okende’s biological family, however, demands the truth.
The Attorney General at the Court of Cassation declared that Chérubin Okende would have died from bullets, and this, in the absence of any autopsy. This statement was perceived by the family as an attempt to “prepare public opinion to accept conclusions that seemed already to be determined.”
A Controversial Autopsy
The family filed a complaint against an unknown person to accelerate the judicial process. They refuse to let the death of one of their own go unnoticed as has been the case with similar cases in the past. They opposed a “premature” autopsy initiated by the authorities, demanding the presence of international experts to cross-check the results and draw all the conclusions.
Politics in the Crosshairs
The case takes a political turn, especially as we are in the middle of the pre-election period. The stakes are high. Between the organization of the IXth Francophonie Games, a challenge taken up by the government, the elections that are looming, and the roots of political intolerance that are settling in, the cocktail is ready. But who would it benefit? And for what specific interests?
For some, the current government has failed in its mission to secure the people. Others believe it was not a question of appropriating this tragic event for political purposes. Patrick Muyaya, Government Spokesman, reiterated this position. Yet, it is very difficult at this stage not to associate politics with the assassination of an opposition political actor.
The Quest for Truth Continues
According to Me Laurent Onyemba, Lawyer for the Okende family, the autopsy reports will be signed by Congolese doctors registered on the Order’s table. However, international experts from elsewhere will each give an individual report.
The quest for truth is far from over. The family awaits a credible result that will determine the real causes of Chérubin Okende’s death. The mystery surrounding this murder continues to hover, adding additional tension in an already charged political landscape.
