DR Congo’s arrest of activists invokes déjà vu of growing repression
Human rights advocates fear a return to the bad old days of former president Joseph Kabila in Democratic Republic of Congo. Less than a month into his second term as president of DRC, Flix Tshisekedi’s security services are increasingly cracking down on peaceful activists. The repression is reminiscent of his predecessor Joseph Kabila’s tactics, which Tshisekedi vehemently denounced when he was an opponent.
The National Intelligence Agency (ANR) initially denied arresting Bauma and Matumo. But after learning that they were being held at the ANR’s notorious 3Z facility in downtown Kinshasa, lawyers and relatives attempted to visit with clothes, medicine and food. ANR officials again denied holding them. As pressure for their release grew, relatives were invited to 3Z on 5 February. Bauma and Matumo were released, but only after being forced to make a confession justifying their arbitrary detention. Subsequently, Bauma issued a statement describing how he had been forced to undress and was subjected to physical violence and death threats during his detention. This constitutes torture and must not go unpunished.
Tshisekedi 2.0 era opens with wave of repression in DR Congo - The Africa Report.com
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DR Congo’s arrest of activists invokes dj vu of growing repression