President Felix Tshisekedi’s orders to arrest and cripple the opposition were effected today when special security agents swung into action at N’djili International Airport in Kinshasa in war styled operation to ‘kidnap’ Salomon Idi Kalonda.
Kalonda was due to board the plane to Lubumbashi where he is based with his leader Katumbi.
Plain clothed officers emerged with uniformed military personnel and isolated Kalonda before forcibly bundling him in a Toyota Land cruiser.
The imminent arrest of Kalonda was leaked recently with other aides such as Olivier Kamitatu, Don Pierro also on the list for arrest.
According to government sources, the idea to arrest key figures to Katumbi, Fayulu and Augustin Matata Mpon is to send shivers in the opposition after rising dissent has exposed Tshisekedi to the international community as a dictator.
LGD opposition leader Matata has condemned the arrest of Kalonda and demanded his immediate release.
Katumbi has described Kalonda’s arbitrary arrest as illegal.
“The arbitrary & illegal arrest of my special adviser, SalomonKalonda, at Ndjili airport is a heinous kidnapping.
“No legal basis. [This is the] end of the rule of law. What do we blame him for? Where was he [been] taken? The authorities must explain themselves and release him,” the popular opposition leader said on twitter.
Government sources say they are feeling the heat from opposition activities ahead of the election in December.
