DRC Prez comes out of seclusion to appear at funeral wake of MP Augustin Katumba Mwanke in Kinshasa

Radio-Trottoir speculations about Joseph Kabila's whereabouts and
declining health came to a screeching halt in the downpour of Monday
afternoon when the prez came out of seclusion to appear at the funeral
wake of his long-time aide, friend, and fellow Katangan MP Augustin
Katumba Mwanke. The wake was held at the Kinshasa posh villa of the
deceased. Mwanke died in a plane crash on Sunday, at Bukavu airport
(the crewmembers of the doomed flight are reported to be American).

TV footage of Kabila's reappearance also featured Israeli mogul Dan
Gertler sitting two seats on the left of the prez, separated from the
latter by PM Adolphe Muzito.

Also in attendance were Kabila's two siblings: his twin sister Jaynet,
and his baby brother Zoe--both recently elected MPs.

DRC first lady Olive Lembe was shown on TV today sitting next to
Mwanke's widow at the funeral mass celebrated at the Catholic
cathedral of Lubumbashi, in Katanga, where the remains of the deceased
were flown on Monday (for burial at Pweto, the home district of
Mwanke). Kabila's mother, Maman Sifa, also attended the funeral mass.