Thunderclap in the DRC: the attorney general at the court of cassation ordered one of two attorneys general of Kinshasa, on the night of April 27 to 28, 2024, to open a judicial investigation against Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, archbishop of Kinshasa and member of Pope Francis’ very restricted circle. The prelate is known for his homilies and his critical media outings on the security and political management of the country. Judicial information which provoked reactions in the political world.
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This is a first in the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation ordered the opening of a judicial investigation against Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa. The prelate is known for his criticism of the security and political management of the country. Justice accuses him of seditious remarks constituting “ false reports, incitement of populations to revolt and attacks against human lives “.
In his letter, the Attorney General criticizes Cardinal Ambongo for seditious remarks “ held during press briefings, interviews and other sermons, likely to discourage the soldiers of the Congolese armed forces who are fighting at the front, while the country is facing a war in the east “.
Read alsoDRC: Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo under judicial investigation
The prelate who seems to find pleasure in these false rumors and other incitements of populations to revolt against established institutions », continues the Attorney General, who therefore requests the opening of a judicial investigation, adding “ that to act otherwise would be seen as a denial of justice, which would be considered as complicity! »
“ He only carries the voice of people who endlessly endure excruciating suffering. »
There are many reactions this morning, particularly in the political class. For the opponent Martin Fayulu, the regime of Félix Tshisekedi “ is taking a progressive, uncontrolled and dangerous deviation for our country. Considering taking legal action against Cardinal Ambongo is the straw that breaks the camel’s back “.
Moise Katumbi says he is indignant: “ This cardinal and metropolitan archbishop of Kinshasa only carries the voice of the Congolese who endlessly endure atrocious suffering. Congolese justice therefore attempts to muzzle this voice of the afflicted, the poor, the victims of injustice, wars and mismanagement of public affairs. » Moise Katumbi who adds: that it is the duty of the Church to “ ensure in particular by denouncing everything that destroys the Republic and plunges the Congolese into unbearable poverty “.
And, finally, the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize, Denis Mukwege, says he is scandalized by “ the political exploitation of the judicial power and a dictatorial drift of a regime incapable of managing the country and restoring security “.
During Easter mass, the Archbishop of Kinshasa delivered a very political and critical message towards the authorities, whose carelessness he denounced in the face of the activism of the M23 rebels in the east of the country. .
Read alsoDRC: during Easter mass, Cardinal Ambongo deplores “a country in agony”