The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, received, Tuesday, June 28, in his office at the African Union city in Kinshasa, his former chief of staff, Vital Kamerhe, who had been imprisoned for corruption and embezzlement funds and then paid on June 23.
It was therefore their first official reunion for more than two years. After the hugs, the two men spoke for nearly three hours.
Kamerhe, who claimed his loyalty to Tshisekedi, spoke to the press after the interview. “It was (…) the joy of finding a political partner. Whatever hardship we endure, this hardship must be below what we are determined to give to the nation, to the fatherland, to the community. This is where we will win,” he said.
The former chief of the presidential cabinet also returned to his innocence. “When I proclaimed my innocence, no one wanted to believe me. But the president respected the independence of justice and I very much appreciated (…) The key word today is forgiveness”, he continued.
Still according to his remarks, he spoke, with the Head of State, of the « challenges » facing the country, but also of « how to meet them ».
One of the great challenges that is undermining Kinshasa is, of course, the resurgence of the M23 rebellion which has taken over the town of Bunagana in the east of the country. Some voices suggest that President Tshisekedi could seek the intervention of Kamerhe in this case, given that he is from the eastern part of the country.
The former chief of staff said he also discussed, with Tshisekedi, the issue of strengthening the partnership between his party, the Union for the Congolese Nation (UNC) and that of the president, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress. (UDPS).
All these statements suggest an imminent possible return of Kamerhe on the political scene of his country. But he said nothing about the 2023 presidential election in which Tshisekedi will be a candidate for his own succession.
By OMA Newsletter No. 762 of 30/06/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
