Pierre Claver Mbonimpa at home with his family

The Chairman of APRODH is now at home. He is happy for his release and he indicates that he will continue his fight for human rights.-By Yves Didier Irakoze

Pierre Claver Mbonimpa sitting between his wife and his daughter © Iwacu

“I’m happy to be free and I thank everyone who supported and came to visit me when I was in was in jail and at the hospital”, Mbonimpa says happily. “It’s time to continue my struggle for the future of the population, to stand for peace and security and the respect for human rights.”

Mbonimpa mentions that he thanks God for his freedom. He was inspired by Psalm 27 of the New Testament that reads: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.”

He also says that he is happy that the report provided by MONUSCO confirms the declarations that he made concerning Burundians troops in Congo. “Among my enemies, there is one who said that instead of seeing me free and at home, he preferred to see me free at the cemetery”, Mbonimpa reveals emotionally. Pacifique Nininahazwe, Chairman of Forum pour la Conscience et le Développement (FOCODE) urges the police and security institutions to protect Mbonimpa and ensure his safety.