By Badylon Kawanda Bakiman
Vidiye Tshimanga, special adviser in strategic matters of President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has resigned.
Tshimanga was cited in a case of influence peddling and corruption. The situation has caused much ink to flow across the country and via social networks.
In his letter of resignation addressed to the President of the Republic, Vidiye Tshimanga indicates that his resignation is a way of ethics in the face of the scandal concerning him.
“Mr. President of the Republic following the scandal caused by the article oriented OCCRP, dated Thursday, September 15, 2022, I see myself in the ethical obligation to submit my resignation from the position of Special Advisor to the Head of State, “he said.
For him it is a decision carefully considered in order to have all the freedom to denounce and lift the veil on the sponsors of what he calls a scheme and thus demonstrate, evidence in support, the manipulation and misuse of his words.
“This, also, in order to shed light on the sponsors of this gross montage, which we have a recording that contradicts the meaning they wanted to give to my words taken out of context, “he argued.
“Furthermore, Excellency Mr. President of the Republic, Head of State, let me assure you that I have never stopped defending your vision in the fight against corruption and anti-values that have too long plagued our Nation. The wound being unfortunately too open at this stage, this seems to me to be the only dignified decision to take. I have had the honor of serving our country and our People at your side until today with conviction, dedication and loyalty. I thank you for the trust you have placed in me,” he added.
In a series of video clips distilled in social networks, Vidiye Tshimanga promised to acquire mining licenses for investors in exchange for a stake in a joint venture.
In their exchanges with the alleged investors, Vidiye Tshimanga describes how he could hide his share behind proxies and offshore companies.
When contacted, Jean Muluntu, a human rights activist based in Kikwit in the southwest of the country, believes that the resignation of the special advisor to the present president is welcome in order not to pollute the entourage of the head of state.
