User:Crtew/Serge Maheshe

Serge Maheshe, also known as ..., (September 1, 1976 – June 13, 2007), a Congolese, was working as a Editor and Journalist for the Radio Okapi in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo... Was known for being repeatedly threatened by rebel groups and local militia and eventually murdered. (You will provide more detailed information about this journalist's nobility under the impact section below).

Personal
Serge Maheshe was 31 when he died and had been married and was a father of two. He was also a Law graduate of the Catholic University of Bakuvu.

Career
Maheshe had first started working for the Radio Okapi in 2003 and was widely respected by everyone. He was an editor and reporter in the eastern town of Bukavu which is just east of the capital Kinshasa. The Radio Okapi is known as a network of stations that stretches nationwide that has been set up by the U.N.

Death


In 2004 Maheshe was one of four journalists who had received threats from local rebel forces. On June 13th of 2007 Maheshe was preparing to board a vehicle with his two friends when a gunman appeared and ordered all of the men to sit on the ground. Maheshe was then shot multiple times in the chest and legs, but his companions were uninjured.

Context
Maheshe served the millions of Congolese who listen to Okapi radio every day. According to his past co-worker Gabriel Maindo, the motive for the assassination was political. When Gabriel Amisi was in the RCD, Maheshe was a very critical member, especially due to his involvement in the investigation on Azarias Ruberwa. Maheshe's investigation against former RCD soldiers revealed that they were the source of destabilization of the country.

Find out something about the other journalists from this area, such as Didace Namujimbo, Koko Bruno Cirambiza, Pascal Kabungulu.

Impact
After his death, Maheshe was christened “Mr Quick Intervention” journalist because of his belief in the healing powers of journalism. 8 months later a radio reporter named Didace Namujimbo was shot in the head and murdered presumably because of his coverage on the trial of the men accused of killing Maheshe.

Reactions
Ban Ki-moon, United Nations secretary-general, said, "... a great loss for the United Nations and the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they continue their efforts to build a sustainable peace in their country."

Tshivis Tshivuadi, the general secretary of Journalists in Danger, said, “As long as journalists write reports of a meeting, a press conference or on the activities of ministries, they are fine. If they write about soldiers raping women, about [President Joseph] Kabila’s military officials diverting money that should be paid to soldiers, they will be in trouble."

Jean-Jacques Simon a co-worker said, "I will always have for a deep friendship. His kindness, his respect for those around him, his intelligence and his expansive courage as a journalist will remain forever engraved in my memory."

TEMPORARY URL HOLDER

 * Radio Okapi


 * The Washington Post


 * The Nation (Nairobi)


 * BBCMonitoringAfrica Mar 11, 2008


 * BBCMonitoringAfrica Aug 29, 2007


 * BBCMonitoringAfricaJun142007


 * Afrikarabia, more about the investigation and trial


 * Afrik.com


 * The Advertiser


 * The Guardian (UK)


 * The Irish Times


 * The Star (South Africa)


 * Mail & Guardian (Zimbabwe)


 * Committee to Protect Journalists:


 * Reporters Without Borders:


 * reliefweb


 * UN News Centre


 * UNESCO


 * congoplanet