blow to opposition

DRC: The arrest of Moïse Katumbi’s right-hand man sparks uproar

By Jeune Afrique

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Posted on June 19, 2023 14:57

DRC Moïse Katumbi and Salomon Idi Kalonda © All rights reserved
Moïse Katumbi and Salomon Idi Kalonda © All rights reserved

Transferred to the military prosecutor’s office on 10 June, Moïse Katumbi’s right-hand man, Salomon Idi Kalonda, is suspected of colluding with Rwandan officials and M23 rebels. Denounced by the opposing camp, the case was the subject of a discreet meeting between Félix Tshisekedi’s ministers and selected ambassadors.

After being held for 10 days at military intelligence headquarters, where he was questioned several times, opposition politician Salomon Idi Kalonda was transferred to the military prosecutor’s office on 10 June. After the initial interrogation, he was incarcerated the same day at Kinshasa’s Ndolo prison.

Arrested on 30 May on the tarmac at Kinshasa-Ndjili airport, Katumbi’s advisor and right-hand man is suspected of collusion with Rwanda and the M23 rebels, among other things. At a 5 June press conference, military intelligence officials said they had determined that Kalonda was “in constant contact” with M23 rebels.

“One of the objectives was to overthrow the DRC government by any means necessary, and to install a Katangan person,” they said.

Evidence and ‘duty of discretion’

Since then, the case has continued to widen. According to our research, a few hours after Kalonda’s

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