Opposition Ensemble Pour la Republique party leader Moïse Katumbi’s special advisor Salomon Kalonda Della has issued his first public statement since his provisional released from prison last month.
Arrested on 30th May 2023, Kalonda was finally granted provisional release on 29th March, 2024 by the Military Court after 10 months in prison which resulted in the deterioration of his health.
Kalonda, from his hospital bed in the Belgian capital Brussels, has confirmed having undergone a successful operation at the Erasmus Specialist Hospital.
Kalonda also expressed his gratitude to his family, colleagues and the Congolese population that offered their support during his incaceration.
He also paid tribute to former Transport Minister and Ensemble Pour la Republique spokesperson Cherubin Okende who was assassinated and recently buried after months of unsuccessful investigations by the Congolese authorities.
Kalonda writes;
“After ten months of grueling captivity which caused a significant deterioration in my state of health, the provisional freedom which was granted to me allowed my medical evacuation to Belgium where I was operated on a few days ago with success. I am now approaching the post-operative phase, the most sensitive and delicate.
I am hopeful, thanks to your fervent prayers, that I will achieve a rapid recovery and return home very soon to DRC. I thank God who kept me going throughout this ordeal. I express my gratitude to the political and judicial authorities who allowed me to seek treatment in an appropriate setting.”
I wholeheartedly thank those who, in the light and in the shadows, mobilized and supported me in these difficult times: family, friends and acquaintances, religious denominations, human rights activists. ‘Man, the voters who placed their trust in me, my lawyers, as well as, in particular, the medical staff in Kinshasa who demonstrated great competence, great dedication and exceptional kindness. My gratitude also to the surgeon who operated on me, Dr Benoît Bomans, and to the emergency physician, Dr Stéphane Tankoua.
Today, like every day since this sad month of July 2023, I have a special thought for a friend, a brother, Chérubin @OkendeC, to whom I was unable to say goodbye. I would like to assure the entire family of my complete loyalty to his memory.
Finally, my thoughts go to @Mukebayimike, detained without trial in Makala and whose release I hope very quickly; to @StanysBujakera who, thank God, has since found freedom and his family; and to others who have lived or are living the painful experience of prison. I don’t forget them.
