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Modeste Boukadia

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Modeste Boukadia (born 1954) is a Congolese political figure and the prominent leader of the self-proclaimed State of South Congo. Known for his active involvement in Congolese politics, Boukadia has been a vocal advocate for political reform and human rights.[1]

Early life and political career

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Boukadia was born in 1954 and became involved in Congolese politics as a young man. In 1993, he founded the Cercle des démocrates et républicains du Congo (CDRC) party,[2] marking the beginning of his political career. Over the years, Boukadia has consistently positioned himself as an opponent to the government of President Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Boukadia contested the Congolese presidential elections in both July 1997 and July 2009, running as a candidate from the CDRC. His political platform focused on addressing the political, economic, social, and financial crises facing Congo (Brazzaville) at the time.[citation needed]

Political activism and advocacy

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Faced with the challenges posed by political instability, economic difficulties, and allegations of corruption within Congo (Brazzaville), Boukadia became a vocal advocate for a Historic Political Compromise that aimed at facilitating a peaceful political transition in the country.

Beyond his involvement in national politics, Boukadia has a diverse background. He served as a former member of the political commission of the Sovereign National Conference in 1991 and as an associate member of IPDF (Professional Engineers of France).[3] He is also a founding member of the Economic Study and Analysis Club focusing on the role of central banks, financial circuits, and currencies.

Additionally, Boukadia has been involved in various associations, including serving as the founding president of the GABA association ("Action Group, implementation of the Central Bank of Africa, for the promotion of the African Union, democracy, and human rights") and as a founding member of the Brazzaville capital of Free France association.[4]

Arbitrary imprisonment and persecution

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Boukadia faced significant challenges due to his political activism. In 2014, following a protest march, he was sentenced (in absentia) to 30 years of forced labor. This arbitrary imprisonment led to his detention for 575 days in the Pointe-Noire Remand Prison, where he reportedly endured physical, moral, and psychological torture, including an attempted assassination.[5][6][7][8]

Despite these challenges, Boukadia remains steadfast in his commitment to political change and democracy in Congo (Brazzaville).[9][10][11][12]

Current initiatives and vision

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Boukadia advocates for the convening of an International Conference and the Round Table to build the National Union envisioned by the Founding Fathers of the Republic. This initiative, inspired by the ideals of Presidents Fulbert Youlou and Jacques Opangault, aims to address the stability and development of Congo in the face of financial challenges and a significant national debt.[13][14]

State of South Congo

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Boukadia emerged as a central figure in the declaration of the State of South Congo on April 14, 2014. The proclamation, formalized through the Request for Declaration of the State of South Congo, addressed perceived injustices, ethnic cleansing, and genocide against the civilian population in the southern regions of the Republic of Congo.[15][16][17]

As the leader of the State of South Congo, Boukadia continues to play a pivotal role in advocating for the rights and autonomy of the southern regions.[18]

Proclamation of Independence: The independence of the State of South Congo was proclaimed through the aforementioned declaration, marking a significant moment in the ongoing political dynamics of the region. The signatories, led by Boukadia, accused President Denis Sassou Nguesso and his Mbochi clan of ethnical cleansing and planned destruction in the southern parts of the country.[19]

Legacy and recognition

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Boukadia's legacy is intertwined with his tireless efforts for political change, human rights, and the establishment of the State of South Congo. While facing persecution and imprisonment, he has remained committed to his vision for a more just and democratic Congo.[20][21][22]

References

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  1. ^ "Modeste Boukadia: Electoral candidate and Opposition in the Congo".
  2. ^ "CDRC website archive".
  3. ^ congo-liberty.com (2017-05-01). "Communiqué de presse sur le procès de Modeste Boukadia au Congo-Brazzaville". www.congo-liberty.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  4. ^ "Modeste Boukadia warns of China's influence in the Republic of Congo". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  5. ^ AfricaNews (2017-05-05). "Appeals court upholds 30-year prison sentence for Congo opposition figure". Africanews. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  6. ^ "Congo: Detained opposition member hospitalised: Modeste Boukadia". Amnesty International. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  7. ^ à 23h40, Par Geoffroy Tomasovitch Le 11 août 2017 (2017-08-11). "Congo: l'opposant Modeste Boukadia rapatrié en France un an et demi après son arrestation". leparisien.fr (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Mondafrique, La rédaction de (2021-10-07). "La police de Sassou aux trousses du fantôme de Modeste Boukadia". Mondafrique (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  9. ^ "Treatment of Political Opponents During the October 2015 Referendum Period".
  10. ^ CDRC, Relation Presse (2018-03-14). "Interview de Modeste Boukadia aux USA par le Washington Time". Cercle des Démocrates et Républicains du Congo (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  11. ^ "Congo-Brazzaville : un opposant condamné en appel à 30 ans de travaux forcés". Voice of America (in French). 2017-05-04. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  12. ^ Léauthier, Alain (2021-03-20). "Élections au Congo-Brazaville : "Cette mascarade va durablement changer la face du pays"". www.marianne.net (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  13. ^ Jecmaus (4 March 2023). "Modeste Boukadia : Que sortira-t-il de la besace de Macron à Brazzaville ?". Mediapart (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  14. ^ "modeste boukadia". RPDH - Rencontre pour la Paix et les Droits de l'Homme (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  15. ^ "South Congo". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  16. ^ "KOACI". KOACI (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  17. ^ Jacques, SIKA Jean (2016-01-18). "Le président du CDRC Modeste Boukadia arrêté à Brazzaville". Les Echos du Congo Brazzaville (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  18. ^ "Pour le soutien des Congolais à la tenue de la conférence internationale". DAC E-NEWS (in French). 2018-04-09. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  19. ^ Jecmaus (16 September 2014). "(Congo-Brazzaville) Etat du Sud-Congo : drapeau, devise, armoiries et limites géographiques". Mediapart (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  20. ^ "Appel de Modeste Boukadia aux Généraux de Denis Sassou et aux Généraux de la République – Zenga-Mambu" (in French). 2019-07-28. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  21. ^ International, Gri-Gri. "#Congo / Modeste Boukadia, prisonnier politique de Sassou ! - Le Gri-Gri International Satirique africain francophone". Le Gri-Gri International Satirique africain francophone (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  22. ^ "Congo: Modeste Boukadia préfère la prison au deal de Sassou N'guesso – Ici Brazza" (in French). 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
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