Audio By Carbonatix
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, 24 prisoners who were accused of being behind the assassination of former President Laurent Kabila have been released after spending nearly two decades behind bars.
Rights groups were extremely critical of the military trial that led to the convictions. Their release follows a pardon by President Felix Tshisekedi.
There were scenes of celebration as the 24 men were released from prison in the capital, Kinshasa.
Many Congolese believe they were not complicit in the death of Kabila but were scapegoats for the 2001 assassination.
Amongst those now free is Eddy Kapend the former army chief of staff. Kabila was succeeded as president by his son.
President Joseph Kabila repeatedly resisted calls to pardon the prisoners - eleven of whom died whilst in custody.
A decision by President Tshisekedi to free them is controversial.
For two years Mr Tshisekedi was in a coalition with Joseph Kabila. But a deep rift has developed between DR Congo's two most powerful politicians.
Latest Stories
-
The legal effect of the United Nations resolution declaring the Transatlantic Slave Trade the gravest crime against humanity
2 hours -
KNUST boosts petroleum engineering output with largest MSc cohort
3 hours -
E&P dispatches final batch of 30 dump truck buckets to Tarkwa site
3 hours -
NIB returns to profitability with over GH₵343M Profit After Tax – 2025 financial report
3 hours -
Government to borrow GH¢15.231bn via T-bills, bonds between March and June 2026
3 hours -
UN resolution just the beginning – Mahama on adoption of slave trade declaration
3 hours -
UN adoption of resolution declaring transatlantic slave trade gravest crime historic – Mahama
4 hours -
“This is a proud moment for Ghana, Africa” – Mahama after UN slave trade resolution
4 hours -
New Town building collapse: Two dead, 14 rescued so far as mission intensifies
4 hours -
Prolonged Middle East conflict poses significant risk to economy – BoG
5 hours -
Kafui Dey suggests seat fillers to fix late TGMA start
5 hours -
World Bank, GCEA provide FIDIC contract management training in Accra
5 hours -
T-bills auction: Government records 20.1% undersubscription; interest rates continue to surge
5 hours -
Scientists from Ghana, Brazil and UK gather in Kumasi to tackle biodiversity crisis with technology
5 hours -
ECG announces power outages in Amasaman and Western Region for maintenance and cable fault repairs
5 hours