Congolese anti-corruption Martyr inspires a new generation
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Aline Minani holds a photo of Floribert Bwana Chui Bin Kositi, the Congolese man who was murdered in 2007 for his anti-corruption efforts.
In 2007, Floribert Bwana Chui Bin Kositi, a government worker in the eastern Congo city of Goma, was asked to allow spoiled rice from Rwanda to be transported across the border. Knowing the risks of defying corruption, especially as a public servant, he refused. His decision ultimately led to his kidnapping, and days later, his body was discovered by colleagues at the Office Congolais de Contrôle, the agency responsible for monitoring the quality of products.
Nearly two decades after his death, Kositi is being remembered and celebrated, especially following Pope Francis’ approval of his beatification. This marks a significant step toward possible sainthood, a status never before granted to anyone from Congo. Kositi’s story of courage and integrity resonates deeply in the conflict-ridden region, where corruption and violence have long been rampant.
Kositi’s designation as a martyr has brought some comfort to his community in North Kivu, a province devastated by years of war. “Floribert was murdered under very difficult circumstances,” said Yack’s Jean Jacques, his former colleague. Jacques recounted the grisly discovery of Kositi’s body, emphasizing that Kositi’s legacy is one of ongoing struggle against corruption. “He left us a fight that we must continue as Christians, as people, as young people in the province,” Jacques said.
Pope Francis recognized Kositi as a martyr late last year, setting him on the path to beatification. His martyrdom aligns with the pope’s broader definition of martyrdom as a social justice concept. Kositi’s refusal to accept the corrupt practices surrounding the distribution of substandard food exemplifies his commitment to the Gospel and the value of life, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable.
The Rev. Francesco Tedeschi, an Italian priest spearheading the beatification process, noted that Kositi’s decision to reject the spoiled food stemmed from his Christian values. “How much spoiled food, how much expired medicine, how many discarded things are sent to these places because there is this idea that the lives there are less valuable?” Tedeschi said. In Kositi’s Christianity, the lives of the poorest people in Congo were central.
Tedeschi, who worked with Kositi through the Sant’Egidio Community, emphasized that Kositi’s life serves as an example for the youth of Congo, where corruption is widespread. With over 70% of the population living on less than $2.15 a day, Kositi could have easily been lured by the temptations of financial gain. Instead, he chose to be a witness to the Gospel, resisting the idolization of money. Tedeschi remarked, “The idol he refused to kneel down to was the idol of money.”
Kositi’s beatification brings him one step closer to sainthood, though the process is long and requires the confirmation of a miracle attributed to his intercession. While Kositi may be the first Congolese individual to reach sainthood, several others have been beatified before him. However, the road to canonization can take decades, as seen in the cases of martyrs like Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador and St. Maximilian Kolbe of Poland.
In December, a memorial Mass for Kositi was held at Goma’s Sainte-Esprit Catholic parish, bringing together family, friends, and community members. Kositi’s mother, Gertrude Kamara Ntawiha, expressed relief that her son’s sacrifice had been recognized worldwide. “We feel relieved today to see that our son has been recognized worldwide for the benefits he has brought,” she said.
Abbé Jean Baptiste Bahati, a Catholic priest in Goma, also emphasized the significance of Kositi’s recognition. “We can have saints here, we can have blessed people here in Goma, it’s not impossible,” he said. Being declared a martyr fast-tracks the beatification process, as the usual requirement for a miracle is waived.
Pope Francis, during his 2023 visit to Congo, praised Kositi for his integrity and faith. The pope said, “He could easily have turned a blind eye; nobody would have found out, and he might even have gotten ahead. But since he was a Christian, he chose to be honest, saying no to the filth of corruption.”
Kositi’s legacy lives on through the Floribert Bwana Chui School of Peace in Goma, an institution named in his honor. The school, run by the Sant’Egidio community, provides education and care to children displaced or orphaned by war, continuing Kositi’s mission of promoting social justice. “Floribert is an example,” said Aline Minani, a member of the Sant’Egidio community. “Through this school, we continue to live and pass on Floribert’s values to these children.”
Kositi’s life and martyrdom inspire a new generation in Congo, reminding them that fighting corruption and standing up for the poor is not just a moral choice but a path to holiness.
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