Congolese opposition politician shot dead amid tense political climate

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - An opposition member of parliament in the Democratic Republic of Congo was found dead Thursday in the capital Kinshasa, his party and family members said.

Cherubin Okende, a former transport minister in President Felix Tshisekedi’s government, was found dead in his car with bullet wounds, according to the family.

Congolese Communications Minister and government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said the government “learned with horror of the assassination” of Okende.

The president’s office said President Tshisekedi learned with dismay of the “disappearance in tragic conditions” of Okende.

“The head of state conveys his condolences to the family and loved ones of the Honorable Okende. He urges Justice to shed light on this case in order to punish the culprits of this despicable act,” the presidency said on Twitter.

Okende, 62, acted as the spokesperson for the opposition Together for the Republic party, whose leader, Moise Katumbi, has declared his intention to run in presidential elections set for the end of this year.

He resigned from Tshisekedi’s government last December along with two other ministers who were in the ruling coalition.

Katumbi condemned the death, describing it as “political assassination aimed at silencing us.”

“An independent investigation must be conducted to shed light on what looks like a state crime,” he said.

Reports said Okende went missing earlier on Wednesday.

His party said he was kidnapped in the parking lot of the Constitutional Court.

His death comes amid a tense political climate ahead of general elections scheduled in December.

The US embassy in DR Congo condemned the brutal murder of Okende, urging the “Congolese authorities to swiftly advance the promised investigation into this heinous act.”

Jean-Marc Chataigner, ambassador of the European Union to DR Congo, said he learned about the death with dismay, adding that “finding and bringing to justice the perpetrators of this heinous crime must be top priority.”

Firmin Mvonde Mambu, the prosecutor general of the Court of Cassation, told reporters that investigations have been launched and one suspect has been arrested in connection with the death.

He said preliminary investigations showed that Okende was “shot dead and a weapon was recovered from his vehicle.”

Okende's death brought memories of the 2010 murder of Congolese human rights activist Floribert Chebeya, whose body was found in his vehicle.