A Belgian-Congolese military expert, Jean-Jacques Wondo, has been sentenced to death on Friday by a military court in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for his role in the failed coup in May this year, along with 37 other defendants.
During the reading of the sentence, it was revealed that the judges consider Wondo to be the "intellectual perpetrator" and "shaper" of the failed coup.
Prosecutors had earlier demanded the death penalty against Wondo as well as 49 others of the total 51 accused. Now, the judges imposed the death penalty on 37 of them, including three Americans. The other defendants have been acquitted.
Along with several others, Wondo was arrested in the days after the failed coup. His lawyers suspect he was the victim of a retaliation within the Congolese intelligence services: Wondo was asked from within the regime to help reform the intelligence services, and his entourage suspects that his plans made him many enemies in Kinshasa.
Weapons pictured during the verdict session in the case of some 50 defendants on trial for the attempted coup in the DRC, Friday 13 September 2024 in Kinshasa, Congo. Credit: Belga
According to the defence, the case contains nothing to prove Wondo's involvement. One photo from 2016 shows Wondo standing next to coup leader Christian Malanga, but otherwise, there is no connection to Malanga or other defendants in the case.
On the eve of the verdict, Wondo's wife published another emotional appeal to Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi to release her husband. "I beg you, my husband's health is deteriorating every day. He has lost 15 kilos and urgently needs medical attention." His son earlier testified about his father's commitment to Congo.
But the judges did not listen and ruled that Wondo was actively involved in planning this coup, arguing that Wondo managed to keep Malanga under the radar thanks to his position within the intelligence services.
On the evening of 19 May, dozens of armed men attacked the home of the DRC's then-Minister for Economy, Vital Kamerhe, while another group stormed the Palais de la Nation, the presidential office. The attackers' adventure ended with the intervention of security forces, who arrested some 40 of them and killed four others. Malanga, the suspected leader, was also killed in unclear circumstances.
"Surprised"
Flemish aid and development agency 'Broederlijk Delen' is shocked and dismayed at Wondo's death sentence. "As all observers noted, the case against Wondo is paper thin. And his arrest was political."
Lieve Herijgers, the director of Broederlijk Delen, stressed on Friday evening that there are many questions about the way the trial went. "In February 2024, President Thisekedi himself stated in an interview that ‘the Congolese justice system was sick’. But our compatriot's fate is in the hands of this same justice system. Perplexing."
Wondo is the father of an employee of Broederlijk Delen. The family's powerlessness, outrage and grief are "unfathomable," said Herijgers. "We as colleagues also share in this helplessness and are bewildered by what is taking place."
It is up to the Belgian Government to send a strong signal towards Tshisekedi and his government, she said. "All diplomatic relations must be deployed. We count on a quick forceful intervention, as well as a fair trial."
The death penalty has been demanded against 50 defendants on trial for the attempted coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo in May. Credit: Belga
Meanwhile, the Belgian Foreign Affairs Ministry said it is "surprised" by Wondo's conviction, "given the limited elements put forward during the trial" and that it finds the death penalty sentence "particularly worrying," according to spokesperson David Jordens.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry on Friday afternoon said it was awaiting the reaction of Wondo and his lawyers, as well as the continuation of the proceedings in case of an appeal.
"Belgium takes this case very seriously and has denounced the suspension of the moratorium on the death penalty in the Democratic Republic of Congo on several occasions, both publicly and during bilateral contacts."
The Ministry also reiterated that it is following the case closely, although it was previously criticised by Wondo's family for what they see as little assistance.
