January 16, 2001: on this date, Laurent-Désiré Kabila was assassinated by one of his bodyguards.

On January 16, 2001, Laurent-Désiré Kabila, then President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was assassinated in his office in Kinshasa by one of his bodyguards: Rashidi Mizele Kasereka. The perpetrator of the gunshots that killed the former Head of State was subsequently shot dead during his escape by Eddy Kapend, the President's aide-de-camp, who is now the commander of the twenty-second military region.

In 2003, the Military Court sentenced about twenty people to death, including Eddy Kapend, for negligence in protecting the President. However, their sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. Eddy Kapend was pardoned by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi.

Twenty-three years later, several people believe that the trial over the assassination of Laurent-Désiré Kabila has not yet answered all the questions, and the real masterminds behind the assassination are still unknown.

Account

On Tuesday, January 16, 2001, around 1 p.m. Kinshasa time, Laurent-Désiré Kabila is working in his office at the Marble Palace, located in the Ma Campagne neighborhood, in the Ngaliema commune.

According to several people close to the former President, that morning, the Congolese President had granted a few audiences, notably to businessmen, and some politicians.

Shortly before 2 p.m., a young guard soldier, a corporal named Rachidi, arrives at Kabila's office and asks to pay his respects to the President.

The guard lets Rachidi enter. He calmly walks towards Laurent-Désiré Kabila, who is in conversation with one of his advisors, draws his weapon, and shoots him.

Laurent-Désiré Kabila collapses...

The head of state falls, hit in the neck and lower abdomen. Rashidi Mizele attempts to flee. He is immediately shot dead by Colonel Eddy Kapend, President Kabila's aide-de-camp.

Meanwhile, Laurent-Désiré Kabila is rushed to the Ngaliema Clinic for treatment. On the afternoon of January 16, the news coming from the hospital is contradictory.

According to rumors running through the deserted streets of the capital, the president might be dead. Other sources indicate that the president has been wounded but is alive, and that he has been evacuated, along with several members of his family, to Zimbabwe.

There was confusion in the country. It was only on January 18, 2001, that the Congolese Government officially announced the death of Laurent-Désiré Kabila in Zimbabwe.

MMC / RO