Vital Kamerhi was released on bail after several systematic requests were denied. What would have changed in the case so that we could witness this turn in the face of Congolese justice? The question deserves to be closely examined.
Gaston Bachelard declared: “He who finds without seeking is he who has searched for a long time without finding.” This assertion seems to fit perfectly with the situation of President Felix Tshisekedi’s former chief of staff, Vital Kamerhe, imprisoned since April 2020. Indeed, on Monday, December 6, the Court of Cassation granted provisional release to the President of the Union of Congolese Nation (UNC). He was repeatedly requested in the past by the lawyer of the former chief of staff of President Tshisekedi, but each time was rejected by the judges responsible for his case.
Vital Kamerhi was initially sentenced on June 20, 2020 to 20 years in prison in a 100-day case where he was accused of embezzlement of approximately $50 million, and his sentence was reduced to 13 years of deprivation of liberty, a year later, at the end of the appeal trial, in June 2021. Supporters of Vital Kamerhi never believed in the guilt of their leader who, for them, was just a victim of political intrigue. The question that may arise is why this version now? It is true that the President of the UN Tribunal no longer spends several months in his cell in Makala Central Prison, due to his health, which has deteriorated significantly.
But should we see political reasons behind this temporary release? Last July, President Felix Tshisekedi expressed himself in these terms, regarding the person who remains his main ally: “What happened, we all denounce, but I still think that Vital Kamerhi is not only a serious person., True, but in addition. Someone you need. The republic is thanks to his intelligence and thanks to his experience and I am convinced that he will once again play a role in this country.”
It is not superfluous to remember that at the moment the new majority formed by Felix Tshisekedi, almost a year ago, is in retreat. Is the Congolese head of state trying to warm up some old ties in light of the big deadline of 2023? Let’s wait and see?
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