UN Experts’ Killings in Congo Remain Unresolved

The murders of Zaida Catalán, a Swedish national, and Michael Sharp, an American, in the Democratic Republic of Congo in March 2017, shocked the international community. The two United Nations investigators were documenting mass killings in the Kasai region when they were abducted and executed, along with their Congolese interpreter and three motorbike drivers.

Nearly nine years later, their families and colleagues continue to seek justice for the victims.

Background of the Murders

Zaida Catalán and Michael Sharp were investigating mass killings occurring in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Following the initial discovery of their bodies, the government of then-President Joseph Kabila attributed the murders to the Kamuina Nsapu militia. However, subsequent reporting by Congolese and international journalists revealed evidence suggesting the involvement of high-level state officials.

The 2022 Trial and its Shortcomings

In 2022, a Congolese military court convicted over 50 individuals for their involvement in the murders of Catalán and Sharp. Despite the convictions, the trial did not fully address evidence of state complicity, including video footage indicating government agents facilitated the experts’ travel to the location of the ambush. The proceedings were also marked by defendants being tried in absentia and reports of witness intimidation. An appeal ruling is pending.

Calls for a Broader Investigation

Last week, Congo’s National Human Rights Commission released a statement urging the Congolese judiciary to examine the roles of all individuals implicated in official investigations, including those who allegedly ordered the murders. The commission also requested an investigation into the fate of the four Congolese individuals who accompanied Catalán and Sharp and emphasized the need for justice for the numerous Congolese victims of the massacres in the Kasai region. Paul Nsapu, president of the commission, stated in an interview with Radio France Internationale that he possesses evidence that could identify the masterminds behind the crime.

The Pursuit of Justice

Authorities are urged to address these calls and ensure a thorough investigation. Families of the victims, including Catalán, Sharp, and the Congolese individuals, deserve to know the full truth. Achieving genuine justice requires exposing and prosecuting all responsible parties, regardless of their position, and strengthening the rule of law to protect human rights defenders.