Jean-Marc Kabund, a former key ally of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, has been released from prison following a presidential pardon, his lawyer confirmed on Friday.
Kabund, once the vice president of parliament and a prominent political figure, had been serving a seven-year sentence on charges including contempt of the head of state.
Kabund’s political trajectory took a sharp turn in 2022 when he broke ties with Tshisekedi and launched his own party. His arrest in August of that year fueled concerns about political repression in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His lawyer, Ghislain Mwanji, confirmed his release but did not provide further details. The justice ministry later corroborated the news.
His freedom comes amid increasing political tension in Kinshasa, where the government is under pressure due to escalating violence in the eastern provinces. Rwandan-backed rebels have recently captured key cities, intensifying concerns over national security and stability.
Some opposition figures have begun openly questioning Tshisekedi’s ability to manage the crisis.
Kabund was instrumental in Tshisekedi’s rise to power, and their split exposed deep divisions within the political landscape. In 2022, he denounced his prosecution as politically motivated, arguing that Congolese institutions were being manipulated to silence dissent.
Human Rights Watch cited his case as an example of the government’s growing intolerance for opposition voices.
His release signals a significant political development in the country, with potential implications for Congo’s shifting power dynamics.
