"The Mzee Laurent Désiré Kabila Foundation brings to the attention of both national and international public opinion that its facilities have just been vandalized for the 3rd time, this March 13, 2024, in broad daylight by military personnel identified as being from the DEMIAP service around 10:30 AM," reads a statement from the foundation signed by its president, Jaynet Kabila.
After having ransacked all the offices, the foundation notes, these soldiers took away computers, USB keys, hard drives, telephones, valuables, and other personal belongings belonging to the Foundation's staff.
Furthermore, the foundation reported the "removal" from its premises of the vehicle that had transported the remains of Mzee Laurent Désiré Kabila. "A symbolic asset" intended for the memorial of the illustrious deceased.
The Mzee Laurent Désiré Kabila Foundation has also strongly condemned the "abduction" of its three agents and two guards present at the location and demands their "unconditional" release.
This event is the third of its kind in less than a year. In 2023, men in uniform had returned for the second time on the day of Friday, June 2nd. This had caused terror among the staff working in this foundation. "These armed men had removed the police officers assigned to the surveillance of this headquarters," reported a witness at the scene.
The Mzee Laurent-Désiré Kabila Foundation is a non-profit association under Congolese law. Created in 2002, after the assassination of the former President of the Republic, Mzee Laurent-Désiré Kabila, this structure is involved in social projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in the fields of health, education, and development.
Dido Nsapu