Ensemble Pour la Republique leader Moïse Katumbi’s candidature for the 2023 General Elections has finally been confirmed by the Congolese Constitutional Court after a lengthy legal process.
Herve Diakiese, Katumbi’s legal representative, has since dedicated the success of the validation of the popular opposition candidates’ file to the deceased former Minister of Transport & Communication Cherubin Okende who was assassinated back earlier this year in July.
A spokesperson for Katumbi at the time, Okende was kidnapped on July 12, 2023 before being gruesomely murdered by suspected government agents in Kinshasa.
Diakiese, the son of the late Katanga political stalwart and UNAFEC founder Gabriel Kyungu wa Kumwanza commonly referred to as Baba, also dedicated the victory recorded in the successful validation of Katumbi’s candidacy to another ally of the Ensemble Pour la Republique party Pierre Lumbi who died of COVID-19 in 2020.
Diakiese also paid tribute to his later father in an emotional tribute and further remembered other figures that have been victims of oppression and injustices including Katumbi’s special advisor Salomon Kalonda Della, imprisoned parliamentarians Mike Mukebayi and exiled Daniel Safu.
After the validation of his candidature, Katumbi and the Ensemble Pour la Republique are now set to launch a fierce political campaign as they face incumbent Fèlix Tshisekedi and his UDPS party on the ballot in 20 December polls.
