By: Robert Patrick Fati Gakwerere
Today, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the Gombe military court in Kinshasa, the public trial against Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the armed group Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) and former president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), commenced.
Twenty four other defendants are also being prosecuted for rebellion against the Republic.
Five defendants are appearing in court, while the others are “on the run,” according to the indictment read by the president of the military court.
Corneille Nangaa and his co-defendants are being prosecuted for:
War crimes
Participation in terrorism activities
Treason
They are accused of having created an armed group that fights the regular army alongside the Rwandan army.
The military prosecutor has invited the military court of Kinshasa/Gombe to judge “in absentia” (contumacy) the defendants who were absent from the hearing due to “flight.” The president of the court has recorded this request from the military prosecutor’s office, in order to judge the absentees “in absentia.”
Corneille Nangaa’s wife, Yvette Lubanda Nazinda, in exile in Europe, is also being prosecuted by the military justice system for “treason, war crime, and participation in an insurrectional movement.” She is on the list of twenty-five defendants tried since Wednesday.
In addition to Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, the military court of Kinshasa/Gombe is prosecuting the following people:
1. Maj Gen Nziramakenga Ruzandiza Emmanuel alias Sultani
2. Brig Gen Byamungu Bernard
3. Major Ngoma Willy
4. Safari Bishori Luc
5. Samafu Makinou Nicaise
6. Nangaa Baseyane Putters
7. Nkuba Shebandu Eric alias Malembe
8. Nkangya Nyamacho alias Microbe
9. Monkango Nganga Brenda
10. Ilunga Kalonzo André
11. Tshibimba Kalonji Ange
12. Maggie Walifetu Henri
13. Biyoyo Yahunze Josué
14. Chalwe Munkutu Adam
15. Alumba Lukamba Omokoko J.P
16. Tshisola Yannick
17. Bisimwa Bertrand
18. Lubanda Nazinda Yvette
19. Kaj Kayembe Fanny
20. Mamba Kabamba Jean Jacques
21. Lubala Ntwali Fabrice
22. Lawrence Kanyuka
23. Delion Kimbulungu
24. Paluku Kavunha Magloire
The first hearing of the public trial against Corneille Nangaa and his associates was opened in the presence of the Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba, and the head of the Congolese military prosecution, Jean-René Likulia.
The trial is taking place at the military prison in Kinshasa in the Ndolo district.