It is official, the repatriation of the remains of Étienne Tshisekedi is scheduled for May 30, 2019. According to credible sources, these funeral of three days are financed by the Congolese treasury. If the construction of the mausoleum cost about 2.5 million dollars, the difference in the overall rating of this care has not yet been revealed by the Presidency of the Republic.
For some, Etienne Tshisekedi Wa Mulumba, one of the fathers of Congolese democracy, deserves a funeral worthy of his rank to honor his heroic and historical struggle.
However, they insist, the people have the right to know how much these funerals cost the Republic. This, in the name of the transparency and the admissibility that good governance requires.
Meanwhile, the funeral program provides for the arrival of the mortal remains on Congolese soil for Thursday, May 30, 2019. On Friday, May 31, it will be exhibited at the Martyrs of Pentecost stadium for the public meditation. And the burial will take place on Saturday, June 01, 2019 after the solemn Mass on the spot at the Martyrs Stadium.
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This repatriation comes two years after the death of the sphinx Limete died 1 February 2017. Since then, his body was still in a funeral parlor in Belgium. This, for lack of a political agreement between the old regime and the Tshisekedi family about his rapratriement and funeral arrangements.
With the alternation at the top of the state, the political climate has allowed this project to bury Etienne Tshisekedi on the soil of his ancestors materializes.
For some historians, the stage of martyrs chosen as place of the funeral and the date of June 01 are not taken at random.
Indeed, on June 1, 1966, Etienne Tshisekedi was minister during the hanging of four politicians accused of treason. Known in the history of the Congo as the « martyrs of Pentecost », they give their name to this stage where is to be honored, 53 years later, the memory of Stephen Tshisekedi, the same June 1st of Pentecost.
Nadine FULA & Tracy NZENGELI
