Catholic journalist killed in DR Congo, possibly for just $5

YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – A Congolese journalist and coordinator of Radio Maria – a Catholic radio station in the war-ravaged eastern city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo – has been killed.

Edmond Bahle Monja was shot at close range in Ndosho, a district of Goma. He was returning from work when he was killed.

His sister Irene Semakuba told journalists that she didn't believe it when she learned his brother had been murdered.

“I had the courage to rush to the spot where his body lay. It was all over for him,” she said.

A Radio Maria statement said three people had been arrested in connection with the murder.

“Under [the three people arrested] were two suspected perpetrators of the heinous murder of our colleague. When they were arrested, they said they were only paid $5 for doing their dirty work,” the statement said.

The murder sparked widespread reactions across the country. Radio Maria officials said they were saddened and afraid after the “cowardly murder” of their coordinator.

“Although multiple media outlets reported the incident, sadness and fear prevented us from speaking out,” the press release said.

Timothée Bigombire, volunteer journalist at Radio Maria/Goma, condemned “this despicable act.”

“This blind violence cannot be tolerated. Taking the life of an innocent person means trampling on human dignity and the values ​​of our society. Those who committed this act not only killed a loved one, but also plunged the entire community into despair. We must denounce this act and work for a world where peace and justice prevail so that such acts never happen again,” he said.

Rosalie Zawadi, the president of the country's journalists' union, L'Union Nationale de la Press du Congo (UNPC), issued a strong statement calling for investigations to determine the perpetrators of the murder and the motives behind it.

“The insecurity is now affecting the media profession in Goma. “The perpetrators of this crime must answer for their actions in court,” she said in a statement obtained by core.

Reporters Without Borders condemned the killing in a tweet and called on authorities to “seriously pursue the investigation and bring those responsible to justice.”

Philippe Birego, a journalist with Radio Maria, said journalists in eastern Congo now live in constant fear.

“Today we live like rats and hide in holes. We cannot move freely and that affects our work as journalists,” he said TV5 moons.

The population demands that the authorities in the state declare a state of emergency and take all measures to protect the population, already affected by the wars and the ongoing insecurity in the city of Goma.

The representative of the non-profit organization Journalists en Danger (Journalists in Danger) pointed out that “killing a journalist means killing information,” and said that journalists in the Democratic Republic of Congo receive threatening calls and text messages from militant groups and others organizations would have received. well-known political personalities.

According to media reports, ten journalists have been killed in the eastern province of North Kivu in the past two years.

The arrests

On Monday, September 30, 35 people were arrested following the murder, including the alleged murderers of the Radio Maria coordinator, as well as hemp smokers and other drug users. According to local media, the military also confiscated 20 bags of hemp.

The suspects were presented to the mayor of Goma on September 30.

“Mr. Mayor, we present to you the results of the investigation carried out by the intelligence service of the 34th Military Region immediately after the murder of the Radio Maria journalist. Our elements have found the perpetrators of this murder, including the author and co-author who appear before you,” said Lieutenant Colonel Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko, spokesman for the FARDC in North Kivu.

One of the alleged perpetrators of the crime then told the press that he had received $5 as payment for murdering the journalists.

The mayor of Goma immediately introduced the accomplice, Dieume Bauma, to the press.

“I was at home when Mr. Elisha Emedy, alias Mamadou, the perpetrator of the crime, called me and gave me $5 to pay for the execution of the journalist after an argument that I did not know about said Bauma.

“Mr. Elisha Hemedi alias Mamadou (the murderer) shot the journalist twice in the chest at close range,” he added.

Mayor Kapend Kamand Faustin said the full force of the law will be brought against the perpetrators and their sponsors.

“We will never abandon our people,” said the mayor.

Eastern Congo has become the scene of violent conflict. Around 120 armed groups are fighting for control of the territory and its natural resources.

The deputy general secretary of the country's bishops' conference, Father George Kalenga Masuka, said core that although internal forces are involved in the fighting, there is no doubt that the involvement of neighboring countries has made the situation worse.

“Among DR Congo’s neighboring countries, some play a significant role in perpetuating violence and massacres,” he said.

“They provide support bases for armed groups that continue to wreak havoc in various regions of the DRC, particularly in the eastern part, from Ituri Province to Tanganyika Province, including North and South Kivu,” he added.