Dave Mafoula, while facing the press and in the presence of a handful of activists from the Les Souverainistes (LS) party, which he leads, first criticized “the government’s immobility”. He then asked the Congolese president to pardon two opposition leaders to ease the political atmosphere.
“I call on President Denis Sassou-Nguesso to take this political act. I ask for the release because the President of the Republic is aware that behind Okombi Salissa and General Mokoko, there is a good portion of our people. And, all these Congolese are waiting for a response, not strong but wise from the president to release his brothers. Okombi Salissa and General Mokoko are the brothers of President Sassou-Nguesso”.
Dave Mafoula reflected that these three personalities had a story. Indeed, General Mokoko was Chief of Staff of the army, under President Sassou-Nguesso between 1987 and 1992, and until 1993, under the presidency of Pascal Lissouba. For his part, André Okombi Salissa was President Sassou Nguesso’s minister several times, uninterruptedly between 1997 and 2012.