Moïse Katumbi's adviser was arrested in Kinshasa. The Congolese opposition denounces a climate of terror, a few months before the presidential election.
After the bill on "congolity", room for judicial intimidation? For Moïse Katumbi, the Congolese presidential election is a long road strewn with pitfalls. This Tuesday, the opponent's special adviser was arrested at N'Djili airport. Salomon Idi Kalonda was apprehended by the presidential guard.
The boss of the Together for the Republic party denounces a "kidnapping" and deplores a "serious dictatorial drift". Katumbi's team, who was in Kinshasa, recalls that "no document was presented" and believes that the adviser "was kidnapped like a thief".
According to the press, Solomon Idi Kalonda a was arrested at the request of "military intelligence" because of the unauthorized carrying of a firearm. But we know: in Kinshasa, the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) acts as it sees fit, and is generally short of explanations.
Is this the start of a purge of opponents? In addition to Moïse Katumbi, several other members of the opposition fear reprisals, like Martin Fayulu or Matata Ponyo Mapon. For Katumbi, the campaign promises to be complicated, he who, last week, already had to turn around when he was going to Kongo-central.
It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve: on June 17, the opposition, almost in its entirety, announced the holding of a meeting. It will then be a real test for the campaign, as several opposition actions – a sit-in and a march – have been interrupted in recent days. The campaign that is starting promises to be tense…