(LIDEC), an opposition political party, and as a mother, I want, on
behalf of my party, and on my own personal behalf, to bring my support
and to express my solidarity to Mr. Kennedy Kambala Kasuyi, a LIDEC
member and a candidate in the last legislative elections in the
constituency of FUNA/Kinshasa, in the face of the tragedy he is
experiencing at this moment as a father of two little girls aged 14
and 15 sexually molested and raped by Honorable Eugène Diomi Ndongala.
"We, at LIDEC, are outraged, shocked, shattered, and vigorously
condemn these vile acts, which are punishable by law.
"At the outset, we didn't want to speak out in this case but to let
justice run its course.
"But in view of the politicization into which some want to turn this
tragedy, the LIDEC can no longer keep silent.
"This isn't a frame-up, this isn't a political affair between the
ruling majority and the opposition, but it is a grim and revolting
vice case implicating an adult, a political leader and, above all, a
Member of Parliament, who has sexually molested two underage girls
belonging to the same family.
"Rapes of minors, sexual relations with minors are acts punishable by
law, but are unfortunately more and more widespread in our country,
the Democratic Republic of Congo, due to the impunity enjoyed by the
authors of such acts.
"That must stop.
"As Congolese citizens and political leaders, it is incumbent upon us
to denounce the black sheep hidden in our midst and to refrain from
covering up their activities.
"As Congolese political leaders, we ought to be emulating the
praiseworthy behavior our counterparts in a number of foreign
countries have evinced in similar vice cases that have been reported
in the media.
"Instead of covering up shameful and reprensible acts, [those
political leaders] had the courage either to condemn them, or to stand
by the victims.
"Those who stand by Mr. Diomi Ndongala today should have first taken
the trouble of inquiring about the facts or of approaching the family
that happens to be the victim of the barbaric acts committed by this
character who is supposed be a representative of the nation.
"Today, Mr. Kambala Kasuyi, the victim, is insulted, reviled, receives
death threat calls, instead of being comforted.
"This is the world upside down, an inversion of moral values!
"All Congolese should feel concerned by this odious crime and the
tragedy Mr. Kambala Kasuyi and his family are living through.
"We call for justice, and in so doing, we do rely on the justice
system of our country."
-- Angèle Makombo
Chairwoman,
Ligue des Démocrates Congolais (LIDEC)
Statement to the media
Kinshasa, July 1, 2012
***
PHOTO: Angèle Makombo speaking at the Atlantic Council, Washington, DC
PHOTO CREDITS: www.acus.org
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