The United States has not written a letter to the DRC about the death of a Congolese opposition figure
The DRC and the United States have not certified this letter. It is therefore false.
A letter attributed to US Secretary of State John Blinken and addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Lutundula is circulating on social networks. It purports to show the United States’ position on the ongoing investigation into the assassination of Congolese opposition figure Chérubin Okende. But the DRC and the United States have not certified this letter. It is therefore false.
The contents of the letter are highly sensitive. In particular, it states that it was the Congolese military services that killed the opponent Chérubin Okende, who was close to Moise Katumbi, a candidate in the DRC’s presidential election on 20 December.
Quote: “At the end of these investigations, our special services note that the crime is carried out by the military detection services of anti-homeland activities of DRC “DEMIAP “the victim was suffocated after being tortured and passed away”.
The facts
Contacted by BALOBAKI on Friday 1 September, the US embassy in the DRC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not authenticate this correspondence.
“The embassy has been informed that a false letter, purportedly signed by Secretary of State Blinken, is circulating on social networks. This letter is not authentic and does not originate from the United States government. All official US statements can be found on our website and social media platforms”, the US embassy in Kinshasa told BALOBAKI CHECK.
Background
Chérubin Okende was found dead on 13 July 2023. His blood-stained body was found in his jeep the day after an abduction reported by his relatives. The murder has prompted reactions from all quarters. While some are calling for appeasement, others are accusing political platforms or communities of being behind the murder. No conclusion has yet been reached and no mastermind has been identified.
The case is already before the courts. In addition to Chérubin Okende’s bodyguard and driver, several other people have been arrested and are being questioned. This was stated to the press on Wednesday 19 July 2023 by the public prosecutor at the Cour de cassation, Firmin Mvonde Mambu. To date, however, no conclusions have been reached… and no masterminds have been identified.
The government has announced the creation of a commission to investigate the assassination. But its composition and actual setting up have not yet been revealed. However, the minutes of the 105th meeting of the Council of Ministers on Friday 21 July 2023 state that the government has officially “asked Belgium, France, the Republic of South Africa and Monusco to assist in these investigations”.