Congo President's aide dies in air crash
Source: Agencies |
February 13, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila's chief adviser was killed and his finance minister seriously injured in a plane crash near the eastern town of Bukavu yesterday.
The accident, the latest in a string of crashes in the country, comes as Kabila goes about the task of forming a new government coalition after his disputed victory in November's election.
"Unfortunately I have to confirm the death of Katumba Mwanke and the pilot," spokesman Lambert Mende said by telephone yesterday.
"It's a very big loss, he was considered a pillar of the presidential majority." Mende said of Mwanke.
He added Finance Minister Matata Ponyo Mapon and a roving ambassador were "heavily wounded" and a provincial governor was lightly injured.
There was no official death toll immediately available and details of the crash were patchy.
"I don't have the number (of passengers) but according to our people in South Kivu (province) the pilot landed in the middle of the strip, and went over the end," said a spokesman for the UN mission in the eastern town of Goma, where the plane took off.
The accident, the latest in a string of crashes in the country, comes as Kabila goes about the task of forming a new government coalition after his disputed victory in November's election.
"Unfortunately I have to confirm the death of Katumba Mwanke and the pilot," spokesman Lambert Mende said by telephone yesterday.
"It's a very big loss, he was considered a pillar of the presidential majority." Mende said of Mwanke.
He added Finance Minister Matata Ponyo Mapon and a roving ambassador were "heavily wounded" and a provincial governor was lightly injured.
There was no official death toll immediately available and details of the crash were patchy.
"I don't have the number (of passengers) but according to our people in South Kivu (province) the pilot landed in the middle of the strip, and went over the end," said a spokesman for the UN mission in the eastern town of Goma, where the plane took off.
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