With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Kamanda Wa Kamanda

Invited to speak first, the coordinator of the civil parties' lawyers immediately raised an objection. Master Richard Bondo Tshimbombo demanded the hearing of all the personalities cited by the defendant Paul Mwilambwe prosecuted among other things for desertion: "The former president of the Republic, the generals, the colonels, the officials of the army that Mwilambwe cited, even the auditor general who is now retired, all these people must be heard."

In disagreement with this request, Master Eley Lofele, lawyer for the Voice of the Voiceless, delivered a surprising plea. According to him, his colleagues from the same camp have other motivations: "They have their objectives! I cannot be responsible for situations that may occur in the country or for disturbances on the eve of elections!"

Immediate reaction from the executive director of the Voice of the Voiceless, Rostin Manketa, who disavowed the approach of Master Eley Lofele: "We are waiting for the plea after having heard all the personalities who were cited."

For its part, the public prosecutor approved the approach, requiring the appearance of the personalities cited by Mwilambwe before closing the proceedings. The next hearing is scheduled for January 19, for the High Military Court's response.