Muanda Nsemi

Zacharie Badiengila, known as Ne Muanda Nsemi, (1946 – 18 October 2023) was a Congolese religious leader and politician.[1] He was leader of the political and religious movement Bundu dia Kongo (BDK).[2]

Muanda Nsemi
Leader of Bundu dia Kongo
In office
1969 – 18 October 2023
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byTBD
Personal details
Born
Zacharie Badiengila

1946 (1946)
Luozi Territory, Belgian Congo
Died (aged 77)
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
NationalityCongolese
Political partyBDK
OccupationReligious leader

Biography

Born in Luozi Territory in 1946, Badiengila took on the name Ne Muanda Nsemi, which means "the creative spirit" in Kikongo. He resided in Kinshasa and was a chemist by occupation. He considered himself a spiritual heir of Simon Kimbangu, a preacher and prophet of Kimbanguism. He also defined himself as a political heir of Joseph Kasa-Vubu, who served as President and supported the resurrection of the Kingdom of Kongo. Like his mentors, he came from the former Bas-Congo.[3]

Nsemi founded the BDK in 1969, but officially created the organization in 1986 to expand into politics, as it was originally a cultural association.[3] He wrote several works in Kikongo, including Mvutu kua PSV, a response to the Spiritual Power of the Verb of Bavua Ntinu André. He served in the National Assembly and was an unsuccessful candidate for Vice-Governor.

Nsemi was accused of translating texts of the PSV without express authorization in order to teach them to his followers. During the 2006 elections, he accused President Joseph Kabila of being a "Rwandan who wants to monopolize the DRC", and his movement participated in the Bas-Congo riots of February 2007.[4] Another clash broke out for several days in Kinshasa[5] and ended on 3 March 2017 by his arrest and incarceration at Makala Central Prison. He escaped with the support of militants who started a fire at the penitentiary.[6]

Nsemi disappeared after his escape and was thought to be dead, but reappeared during the administration of Félix Tshisekedi in 2019.[7] Initially hoping for amnesty from Joseph Olenghankoy, he then accused Tshisekedi of marrying a Rwandan woman. He carried out another attack in March 2020 in different towns in the Kongo Central province.[8] He was arrested the following month and admitted to a neuro-psychopathical center in Kinshasa.[9] Some MPs pleaded with authorities in his favor, and he was released after long negotiations.[10] He apologized to Tshisekedi and the first lady.[11]

Ne Muanda Nsemi died in Kinshasa on 18 October 2023, at the age of 77.[12]

References
  1. Nsimba, Socrate (18 October 2023). "En RDC, décès du leader politico-religieux Ne Muanda Nsemi". Jeune Afrique (in French). Kinshasa. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  2. "RDC: Mort de Ne Muanda Nsemi, figure de l'histoire politique et religieuse congolaise". Radio France Internationale (in French). 19 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  3. Gras, Romain (1 May 2020). "RDC : dix choses à savoir sur Ne Muanda Nsemi, le chef de la secte Bundu dia Kongo". Jeune Afrique (in French). Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  4. Benetti, Pierre (29 May 2017). "Où est passé Ne Muanda Nsemi, vieux rebelle fugitif de la prison de Kinshasa ?". Le Monde (in French). Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  5. Leclerq, Hubert (24 April 2020). "RDC : Echanges de feu nourris autour de la résidence de Ne Muanda Nsemi". La Libre Afrique (in French). Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  6. "Retour en prison pour Ne Muanda Nsemi, gourou et chef sécessionniste". Voice of America (in French). 10 May 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  7. "RDC: Ne Muanda Nsemi, le leader de Bundu dia Kongo, finalement libéré". Radio France Internationale (in French). 11 May 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  8. "RD Congo : Répression sanglante du mouvement Bundu dia Kongo". Human Rights Watch (in French). Kinshasa. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  9. "Ne Muanda Nsemi : témoignage troublant de son « 2me Bureau »". Le Phare (in French). 7 May 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  10. Dianzenza, Lucien (4 August 2020). "Déshospitalisation de Muanda Nsemi : le chef spirituel de BDM affirme avoir enterré la hache de guerre". ADIAC TV (in French). Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  11. Mbuyi, Gisèle (2 November 2020). "RDC : Denise Nyakeru chez Ne Muanda Nsemi". Digital Congo Radio Télévision (in French). Kinshasa. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  12. Mampuya, Christian (18 October 2023). "RDC : Décès de Ne Muanda Nsemi, chef spirituel de la secte religieuse Bundu Dia Mayala". MBOTE.cd (in French). Retrieved 20 October 2023.
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