The former Minister of Health from 2016 to 2019, Doctor Oly Ilunga Kalenga, has been free since Monday, September 9, after serving his five-year sentence of forced labor.
Oly Ilunga has been detained in Makala central prison since March 23, 2020, for embezzling more than 400,000 US dollars, funds intended for the fight against Ebola; a fact that he has always denied, and his relatives, for their part, have not stopped denouncing what they called “injustice”.
Several photos taken when he was released from prison and used by the editorial staff of Opinion-info.cd show how much his years spent in prison have softened him.
As a reminder, Doctor Oly Ilunga was, for several years, close to and treating physician of the late Étienne Tshisekedi, biological father of the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi.
In 2016, he left the UDPS to join the ruling camp at the time, the FCC – Common Front for Congo – and it was then that he became Minister of Health, following a government reshuffle, and kept his post until the end of the Kabilie reign.
Some have always maintained that his harsh sentence was linked to his treason, a hypothesis that the Tshisekedi family has always rejected.
/opinion-info.cd
2024-09-10 19:08:21
#DRC #Health #Minister #Oly #Ilunga #Released #Years #Incarceration #Embezzlement #Ebola #Funds
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The Turbulent Journey of Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga: From Health Minister to Convicted Embezzler and Back to Freedom
Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, the former Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been freed after serving a five-year sentence of forced labor for embezzling Ebola funds. His journey, marked by controversy and drama, has been a subject of interest and scrutiny in the international community.
Resignation as Health Minister
In July 2019, Dr. Ilunga Kalenga resigned as Health Minister due to disagreements with the government’s handling of the Ebola epidemic [[1]]. At the time, the DRC was grappling with one of the deadliest Ebola outbreaks in its history, and the government’s response was criticized for being inadequate. Ilunga Kalenga’s resignation was seen as a blow to the government’s efforts to contain the outbreak [[2]].
Embezzlement Conviction
However, Ilunga Kalenga’s fall from grace was swift and unexpected. In March 2020, he was arrested and later convicted of embezzling over $400,000 in Ebola funds [[3]]. The court found him guilty of forging receipts worth $391,332 from a fake company. Ilunga Kalenga denied any wrongdoing, and his relatives claimed that he was a victim of injustice.
Imprisonment and Release
Ilunga Kalenga was detained in Makala central prison since March 23, 2020. After serving his five-year sentence, he was finally released on September 9, 2024. Photos taken after his release show a man worn down by his years in prison.
Political Background
Before becoming Health Minister, Ilunga Kalenga was a close associate and treating physician of the late Étienne Tshisekedi, the biological father of the current President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi. In 2016, he left the UDPS to join the ruling camp at the time, the FCC – Common Front for Congo.
Ilunga Kalenga’s case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in public office. His rise and fall from power is a cautionary tale of the dangers of corruption and the importance of transparency in governance. As the DRC continues to grapple with numerous challenges, including health crises and political instability, the story of Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical leadership and responsible governance.
The Turbulent Journey of Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga: From Health Minister to Convicted Embezzler and Back to Freedom
Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, the former Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been freed after serving a five-year sentence of forced labor for embezzling Ebola funds. His journey, marked by controversy and drama, has been a subject of interest and scrutiny in the international community.
Resignation as Health Minister
In July 2019, Dr. Ilunga Kalenga resigned as Health Minister due to disagreements with the government’s handling of the Ebola epidemic [[1]]. At the time, the DRC was grappling with one of the deadliest Ebola outbreaks in its history, and the government’s response was criticized for being inadequate. Ilunga Kalenga’s resignation was seen as a blow to the government’s efforts to contain the outbreak [[2]].
Embezzlement Conviction
However, Ilunga Kalenga’s fall from grace was swift and unexpected. In March 2020, he was arrested and later convicted of embezzling over $400,000 in Ebola funds [[3]]. The court found him guilty of forging receipts worth $391,332 from a fake company. Ilunga Kalenga denied any wrongdoing, and his relatives claimed that he was a victim of injustice.
Imprisonment and Release
Ilunga Kalenga was detained in Makala central prison since March 23, 2020. After serving his five-year sentence, he was finally released on September 9, 2024. Photos taken after his release show a man worn down by his years in prison.
Political Background
Before becoming Health Minister, Ilunga Kalenga was a close associate and treating physician of the late Étienne Tshisekedi, the biological father of the current President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi. In 2016, he left the UDPS to join the ruling camp at the time, the FCC – Common Front for Congo – and it was then that he became Minister of Health, following a government reshuffle, and kept his post until the end of the Kabilie reign.
Ilunga Kalenga’s turbulent journey serves as a reminder of the dangers of corruption and the importance of accountability in public office. His release from prison marks a new chapter in his life, and only time will tell what the future holds for this former Health Minister and convicted embezzler.
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