DRC: Moïse Katumbi’s right-hand man accused of endangering state security

For several days, contradictory information concerning Kalonda has been in circulation. He was arrested on 30 May at N’Djili international airport as he prepared to return to Lubumbashi. Moïse Katumbi, a prominent opposition figure and presidential hopeful, has expressed his disapproval for Kalonda’s arrest, denouncing it as a “kidnapping” of his right-hand man. Now that the charges are known, it’s clear the accusations are serious.

Speaking to the press on Monday 5 June, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Kangoli Ngoli, a legal adviser within the state’s military intelligence apparatus, began by explaining that his officers had been following Kalonda for several days.

“On 20 May, during the opposition demonstration, [he] was carrying a firearm,” the colonel said. “[The weapon] fell [during] clashes with the police, who quickly picked it up and seized it – a 9mm pistol.”

‘Weapons of war’

Military intelligence claims that Kalonda “allowed himself to be secured without authorisation by elements of the Armed Forces of DRC”, with apparent efforts “to acquire weapons of war” also included in the report.

Data extracted from Kalonda’s phone was further investigated after his arrest, an examination that would reveal that he “was in permanent and fruitful contact with officers of the terrorist movement M23/RDF [Rwandan Armed Forces], but also with Rwandan officials”.

“According to our information,” said Ngoli, “one of [his] objectives was to overthrow the power in place in DRC by any means necessary, and to install a Katangan citizen in its place.”

Contacts with Rwandan generals

Military intelligence claims that Kalonda “established direct contacts with Major Ngezi Fred, assistant to Sultani Makenga, who is the head of the armed branch of the terrorist movement M23/RDF”. According to them, he was also in contact with Jean-Marie Runiga, presented as the political leader of the rebellion, as well as several Rwandan generals and Vincent Karega, former Rwandan ambassador to DRC, who was expelled last October.

According to intelligence reports, the suspect’s goal was “to encourage the war being waged by the M23/RDF to obtain political leverage [and] to bring down the vote on the so-called Tshiani law”.

This bill, currently under review by the National Assembly, reserves some of the highest positions in the country for Congolese citizens born to both a Congolese father and mother. If adopted, it could compromise Katumbi’s candidacy in the presidential election scheduled for December of this year.

Validation by Kigali

Finally, military intelligence says it observed that “all the draft statements issued by the political party Ensemble pour la République [Moïse Katumbi’s party] were first sent to Kigali for validation by General Nzambamwita, head of the Rwandan civil intelligence”.

All the draft statements issued by the political party Ensemble pour la République [Moïse Katumbi’s party] were first sent to Kigali for validation

Kalonda is therefore to be charged with inciting military personnel to commit acts contrary to duty and discipline, endangering state security, and illegal possession of firearms. He is soon expected to stand before a judge overseeing his case.