A top US Senator Jim Risch says the Democratic Republic of Congo government must fulfill its pledge to investigate the killing of opposition Ensemble pour la République spokesperson Chérubin Okende transparently.
Risch, a representative from Idaho who sits on the Foreign Committee, says the investigation must be urgent and thorough especially because the country has a history of political violence.
“The murder of prominent Congolese
opposition politician Cherubin Okende in Kinshasa is deeply disturbing,” he said.
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member is disturbed by the development.
Okende was found dead in his vehicle on July 13, 2023 a day after he was reportedly kidnapped in the precincts of the Constitutional Court.
Meanwhile, United States Embassy in Kinshasa has condemned the brutal murder Okende, a former transport minister.
The Embassy has extended its sincere condolences to his family, friends and community.
“We urge the Congolese authorities to quickly move forward with the promised investigation into this
heinous act,” a statement on twitter reads.
Opposition leaders associated with Moise Katumbi have been targets of arrests and other forms of persecution.
