Jubilation in Kinshasa as Kabila-accused are freed

Scenes of joy broke out this morning at the central prison of Makala, Kinshasa, where Col Eddy Kapend and 23 other prisoners were released.

“We are filled with joy because after 20 years […] he comes out with dignity,” said his son, Franck Irung Kapend.

Imprisoned since 2001, they were accused of being involved in the murder of then-President Laurent-Desirée Kabila, who was succeeded in the role by his son Joseph Kabila.

For Grace Tshunza, coordinator of the human rights NGO Dynamique Impunité Zéro, it is “a satisfaction that the head of state listened to us and that our plea was successful”.

The realease takes place in a political context marked by a conflict between current President Félix Tshisekedi and predecessor Joseph Kabila, but the deputy minister of justice said the release of these political prisoners was for “humanitarian reasons”.

Makala prison was built to accommodate 1,500 inmates and currently houses nearly 9,000.