Former opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi’s body returning to Congo for funeral
The body of longtime Congolese opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi is headed home more than two years after his death.
Tshisekedi died in Belgium’s capital, Brussels, at the age 84 in February 2017, but his body remained there because of political tensions with former DR Congo President Joseph Kabila.
Family members had accused Kabila of blocking a funeral for Tshisekedi over fears of demonstrations around the country’s most popular opposition figure.
The surprise declaration of Tshisekedi’s son Felix as Congo’s presidential election winner earlier this year opened the way for the body’s return. The election was disputed, with another opposition figure claiming victory.
Once the elder Tshisekedi’s body arrives at the airport it will be taken to the Martyrs’ stadium in the capital, Kinshasa, for mourning.
