Incidents during Katumbi's rally in Moanda: disagreement between the provincial government and the Together for the Republic party

The provincial government of Kongo-Central and the political party Ensemble are divided over the clashes that occurred on Tuesday, December 12, at the meeting of candidate Moïse Katumbi in Moanda.

In a statement received by Radio Okapi, the Kongo-Central provincial government condemned these acts and called on the population to remain calm.

According to this provincial executive, the altercation occurred between members of a political party organizing a motorized caravan and the security services of candidate Moïse Katumbi.

"The members of the close guard of the aforementioned candidate are said to have used their firearms for warning shots during these clashes," it added in the statement.

This is what caused a sharp tension among the population, the Kongo-Central provincial government maintained.

It clarified that the Congolese national police (PNC) only used tear gas to restore order.

While condemning these acts, the Kongo-Central provincial government "invited the population to remain vigilant, calm, and not to give in to any maneuvers aiming to disrupt the smooth running of the ongoing electoral process".

The provincial government announces the opening of an investigation to establish responsibilities.

Contradiction on the circumstances of the facts

For its part, the political party Ensemble pour la République accused those in power of having orchestrated these incidents.

"In Moanda, there were real bullet shots and stone-throwing to prevent Moïse Katumbi from holding his gathering with the people. A detailed assessment will follow. This is a gross error of a power in distress, which has failed," announced Hervé Diakiese, spokesperson for the political party Ensemble pour la République.

The scuffle due to the clashes in Moanda caused injuries including a policeman, official sources claim.