Congolese minister visits Dublin site where Yves Sakila died and urges full investigation

The Congo’s minister for foreign affairs is calling for a “thorough and transparent” investigation into the death of Yves Sakila in Dublin earlier this month. 

Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner was speaking as she laid flowers at the site of where Mr Sakila was restrained by security guards and later died in hospital.

The Congolese man, who was allegedly shoplifting in Arnotts department store, was held down by security for more than four minutes and died in the Mater Hospital later that day.

The minister met with members of Mr Sakila’s family on Friday morning, including his stepmother Angel Issemezey Anzibi and uncle Jean Claude Sakila who travelled to Dublin from Belgium.

Minister Kayikamba Wagner said: “First of all, I think we are comforted by the fact that the Irish authorities have been taking this case very seriously. But at the same time, it is a tragedy. 

"It is a tragedy that should have never happened in the first place. We think it's very important that there is a thorough investigation, full transparency on what exactly happened.

"There is a complete disproportionate relationship between what this individual has been accused of... and his final fate. And this is very difficult to reconcile."

Foreign minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ms Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner with Angel Issemezey Anzibistep the step mother of the Yves Sakila laying flowers at the memorial where he was restrained and later died on Henry Street in Dublin. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

The Congolese minister met with President Catherine Connolly on Thursday as part of her trip to Dublin. 

Members of the Congolese community met at 10.30am on Henry Street on Friday where they laid flowers outside Arnotts in memory of Mr Sakila.

The minister joined the crowd and formed a circle around where Mr Sakila fell unconscious, which is marked by flowers and images of his face.

The Sakila family say they are still awaiting official reports into Mr Sakila’s autopsy, which was conducted the day after he died on May 15, while the results of toxicology tests will take some time to be completed.

Yves Sakila's uncle Jean Claude (left) and step mother Angel Issemezey Anzibistep (right) at the memorial where he was restrained and later died. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

"We still don't have the answers to what happened," said Angel. The family's solicitor John Gerard Cullen said he has written to the gardaí and Arnotts requesting a precise timeline of events on the day in question as well as CCTV.

Mr Sakila had allegedly made two attempts to steal a bottle of perfume from the department store and was later held by security before he was arrested at the scene — by then he had fallen seriously ill and was taken to the hospital.

His uncle, Jean Claude Sakila, said: "I came here last night and stayed for two hours, just looking, thinking, praying. We want the answers and to get to the truth."