Kinshasa DR CONGOChief of staff Vital Kamerhe
DR Congo President, Felix Tshisekedi has
temporarily replaced his chief of staff Vital Kamerhe who is charged with
stealing public funds, the president’s spokesman said on Tuesday.
Kamerhe,
the most senior politician to ever face trial for graft in Congo, has been held
at Kinshasa’s Makala prison since his arrest on April 8.
The
appointment to replace Kamerhe with a deputy comes a day after his high-profile
trial began. He has denied all wrongdoing in relation to charges of embezzling
more than $50 million in public funds.
Kamerhe’s supporters say the charges are politically motivated, aimed at stymieing his chances of challenging Tshisekedi at the next elections in 2023.
Kamerhe
backed Tshisekedi in his successful 2018 election campaign in return for
Tshisekedi’s support the next time around in 2023, but since gaining power
their coalition has started to fray.
If convicted, Kamerhe could serve up to 20 years in prison and would be ineligible to contest the next election. The trial resumes on May 25.
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