The mysterious death of a Belgian national who has been working as an IT expert for the DRC’s electoral boday has triggered an investigation to assertain circumstances of his death.
The computer expert was deployed by the European Union for the December 20 elections which have been marred by fraud, confrontations and violence.
The inquiry into the experts death was announced on Tuesday December 26, 2023 by Peter Kazadi, DRC’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, Security, and Customary Affairs, , during a press briefing in Kinshasa with his colleague Patrick Muyaya , government spokesperson.
“The IT manager from the European Union election observation mission apparently threw himself from the 4th floor, resulting in his death. Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances of his death. I cannot say more at the moment,” Peter Kazadi said briefly, avoiding delving further into the matter.
The deceased expert was part of the team supporting eight experts specializing in various fields such as electorate, politics, legal, human rights, gender, minorities, media and social networks .
Initially planned to observe the general elections on December 20, 2023, the EU electoral mission was reduced and transformed into a mission of electoral experts following discussions with the Congolese authorities.
These experts focused on analyzing the electoral process from the Congolese capital, Kinshasa.
The restricted mission, made up of eight experts, was responsible for carrying out a technical analysis of the electoral process as a whole.
They evaluated the process in accordance with international, regional and national commitments relating to the conduct of democratic elections to which the DRC has subscribed.
A formal report including their findings, conclusions and possible recommendations will be submitted to the national authorities at the end of their mission.
