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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Conflict & Security

PPRD Denounces Headquarters Fire, Accuses Government of "Dictatorial Drifts"

From Radio Okapi · (8m ago) French Critical tone

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The PPRD party in the Democratic Republic of Congo condemned the arson attack on its headquarters during a march organized by the ruling UDPS party.
  • The PPRD accused the ruling party and its allies of "dictatorial drifts" and criticized the international community for allegedly overlooking violence against the opposition.
  • The opposition coalition Lamuka also denounced what it called "double standards" in managing public demonstrations, claiming opposition activities are suppressed while ruling party events are protected.

The Parti du Peuple pour la Reconstruction et la Démocratie (PPRD) has strongly condemned the fire that destroyed its headquarters in Kinshasa, an act that occurred on the sidelines of a march supporting sanctions against former President Joseph Kabila, the PPRD's figurehead. Ferdinand Kambere, the PPRD's deputy permanent secretary, articulated the party's outrage, denouncing what he termed "dictatorial drifts" by the current administration. This incident, occurring amidst a march by the ruling UDPS party and its allies, is viewed by the PPRD not as a random act of vandalism but as a politically motivated attack aimed at silencing opposition voices.

We condemn with the utmost energy the acts of vandalism that targeted our headquarters. The images speak for themselves.

— Ferdinand KambereDenouncing the arson attack on the PPRD headquarters.

The PPRD's statement extends beyond mere condemnation of the fire; it is a direct accusation against the ruling party and its allies, accusing them of fostering an environment where political violence against the opposition is tolerated, if not encouraged. Kambere's critique extends to the international community, suggesting a complicity or willful ignorance regarding the suppression of opposition activities in the DRC. The party views this as part of a broader pattern of "double standards" in managing public demonstrations, a sentiment echoed by the opposition coalition Lamuka.

We condemn with the utmost energy the acts of vandalism that targeted our headquarters. The images speak for themselves.

— Ferdinand KambereDenouncing the arson attack on the PPRD headquarters.

Lamuka, through its spokesperson Prince Epenge, has voiced similar concerns, highlighting the disparity in how public gatherings are handled. They argue that while opposition and civil society movements face frequent bans and repression, demonstrations supporting the government, such as the one organized by the Union Sacrée de la Nation, proceed under the protection of law enforcement. From the perspective of Congolese opposition parties like the PPRD and Lamuka, these events signify a worrying trend towards authoritarianism, where political dissent is increasingly stifled. The burning of the PPRD headquarters is seen as a stark symbol of this deteriorating political climate, raising serious questions about the future of democratic space in the country.

We condemn with the utmost energy the acts of vandalism that targeted our headquarters. The images speak for themselves.

— Ferdinand KambereDenouncing the arson attack on the PPRD headquarters.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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