President pardons hundreds of political prisoners

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has pardoned about 700 political prisoners who were jailed under his predecessor Laurent Kabila. A report on the News24 site notes that Tshisekedi signed the decree, fulfilling a promise he made earlier this month to do so during his first 100 days in office. Among those set for release is Firmin Yangambi, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of being a threat to national security. Tshisekedi was declared winner of the 30 December poll, leading the country to its first peaceful transfer of power since independence from Belgium. He has also promised to reinvigorate justice and fight corruption in the DRC.

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