This is a very serious time.
I was deeply dismayed to learn of the kidnapping and subsequent murder in Kinshasa of the Honorable Chérubin OKENDE SENGA, national deputy and honorary minister.
This heinous crime has just been committed in the run-up to general elections, in a context of repression of political opposition, dangerous curtailment of freedoms and terror that we have repeatedly denounced.
I firmly condemn this heinous crime and call for an independent inquiry to shed full light on this assassination and bring justice.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family of the Honourable Chérubin Okende, and express my solidarity with the political party “Ensemble pour la République” of which he was spokesman.
I call on all the living forces of our Nation: citizens’ movements, associations, professional organizations, religious denominations and political parties to come together as a matter of urgency to give a strong, appropriate and lasting joint response to these serious human rights violations, and to defend democracy and peace in our country.
Let us mobilize to save our Nation in peril.
Dr. Denis Mukwege
