(JED/IFEX) – Mrs. Wivine N’Landu Kavidi, candidate for the forthcoming presidential election in the DR Congo, and her political party the UDR (Union pour la Défense de la République) have called upon the Kinshasa-based weekly “Africa News” journalist, Kisungu Kas and the publication’s editor, Michel Mukebayi Nkoso, to appear before the Kinshasa/Gombe Peace Court, on […]
(JED/IFEX) – Mrs. Wivine N’Landu Kavidi, candidate for the forthcoming presidential election in the DR Congo, and her political party the UDR (Union pour la Défense de la République) have called upon the Kinshasa-based weekly “Africa News” journalist, Kisungu Kas and the publication’s editor, Michel Mukebayi Nkoso, to appear before the Kinshasa/Gombe Peace Court, on 11 April 2006. According to the indictment terms, a copy of which JED has been able to obtain, Mrs N’Landu has accused the paper and its journalists of “falsification and of false rumours”, “defamation”and “public libel and insult”. The candidate has urged the Court to sentence the paper and its journalists to a fine of US$100,000 for reparation damages.
UDR and its President deem that in the article entitled, “Wivine N’Landu, a divisive presidential candidate”, published in the paper’s 25 March edition, Kisungu Kas spread false information. Specifically, in his writing that the UDR has never voted for the option to introduce a presidential candidate, and that N’Landu’s candidature had even surprised some of the partners belonging to her political platform. The candidate has also accused the paper of portraying her as “divisive” and “conflicting” without evidence. The article in question actually read, “Some Kongo leaders fail to understand the obsession which characterises this woman whose rivalries in her own biological family betray her affinity for conflict”. The public hearing due to be held on 11 April was postponed to 25 April in order to meet procedural requirements.
