By Riches Soberekon
An opposition leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was found dead in Kinshasa on Thursday.
Chérubin Okende, a former minister and member of the party of presidential candidate Moïse Katumbi, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in his car.
The government has condemned Okende’s assassination and has launched an investigation.
Okende’s death comes at a time of heightened political tension in the DRC, as the country prepares for elections later this year.
Okende was a popular figure in the opposition and was seen as a potential challenger to President Félix Tshisekedi in the upcoming elections.
His death is a major blow to the opposition and is likely to further increase tensions in the country.
The international community has also condemned Okende’s assassination and has called for an end to political violence in the DRC.
Reacting, the United Nations urged the government to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.