Journalist attacked and threatened with gun during DR Congo training

Congolese journalist Gede Luiz Kupa was attacked by a member of his country’s national team security team

This Thursday, the Democratic Republic of Congo will face Tanzania in a match counting towards the African Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifiers. However, the day before the match, the Congolese delegation found itself involved in controversy.

According to the African press, a journalist was attacked during the Congolese national team training session. According to reports from other journalists present, journalist Gede Luiz Kupa was violently attacked by a member of the national team’s security team. Later, this same security member used a firearm to intimidate the journalist in question.

The Association of Sports Journalists of the Democratic Republic of Congo (AJSC) reacted to the incident: “The AJSC expresses its indignation after its member Gede Luiz Kupa was the victim of unacceptable violence by Sieur Saidi, a security guard for the Leopards [the nickname of the DR Congo national team]. Armed with a pistol, Sieur Saidi attacked Kupa while he was doing his job, creating a feeling of insecurity among journalists.”

In response, the AJSC called for a boycott of the press conference following Thursday’s DR Congo match and also demanded a “public apology from the aggressor and sanctions from the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA). If these demands are not met, the AJSC threatens to take firm action.”