The Democratic Republic of Congo's capital city of Kinshasa was left reeling in shock following the tragic killing of Cherubin Okende, a former Transport minister and opposition spokesperson, on Thursday.

His body was discovered riddled with bullets in his car on one of the city's main roads, a day after his family had reported his disappearance. Okende had been the spokesman for Moise Katumbi's Ensemble pour la République, a leading opposition party whose leader is set to contest the upcoming presidential election in December this year.

He had resigned from the government in 2022 following Mr Katumbi's departure from the coalition led by President Félix Tshisekedi. At the time of his death, Okende was due to appear at the constitutional court to attend a meeting "to study and draft a report on the written declaration relating to [his] assets after [his] departure from the government," according to a letter from Judge Sylvain Lumu.

The government immediately condemned the killing, terming it an “odious act” and calling for “a thorough investigation in order to shed light on this unacceptable act,” as per the statement from spokesman Patrick Muyaya.

Mr Katumbi, in an interview with French radio broadcaster RFI, declared Okende’s death as “a political assassination…to reduce us to silence” in the lead-up to the presidential elections.

Okende’s killing was only the latest in a series of disappearances and deaths of high-profile members of the opposition, leaving many in fear of the implications for the future of the country’s political climate.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, and its people, are mourning the loss of a prominent political figure who fought for democracy and justice. Okende's violent death has sent shockwaves through the nation and left many with unanswered questions on the motives behind his killing.

As the country gears up for the presidential elections, it is hoped that the truth behind the tragedy will be revealed and justice will be served.