Hundreds rallied outside the top court in Congo on Wednesday, demanding the release of political prisoners, including key opposition leaders. Protesters delivered a statement to the Minister of Justice, accusing President Felix Tshisekedi of suppressing dissent and silencing opponents.
Among those targeted for release are Jean-Marc Kabund, leader of the Alliance for Change party; Mike Mukebayi, a former provincial parliament member; and Seth Kikuni, a candidate from last year’s presidential elections. Kabund and Mukebayi were arrested last year for allegedly insulting the president and spreading false information, with Kabund sentenced to seven years for accusing Tshisekedi of corruption. Both are incarcerated in Makala Central Prison, which is severely overcrowded.
Kikuni was arrested this month for “incitement of civil disobedience” and is currently held by the intelligence agency. The recent attempt at a jailbreak in the prison resulted in 129 fatalities, raising concerns about conditions there.
In a controversial move, Congo plans to apply for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, facing backlash from opposition groups and civil organizations, including the Bill Clinton Peace Foundation, which argues that Congo’s human rights record disqualifies it from such a role. The Council is tasked with reviewing human rights practices globally and has faced criticism for its members’ poor records.
