Congolese fan Michel Boladinga arrives at the World Cup

Michel Kouka Boladinga, a prominent supporter of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) national football team, has arrived at the World Cup after resolving visa issues. Boladinga has followed the national team consistently since 2013 and gained international recognition during the Africa Cup of Nations in January. He is known for performing as a living statue, dressed in the colors of the DRC flag while mimicking the pose of Patrice Lumumba, the country's first prime minister who was assassinated in 1961. Boladinga uses this platform to honor Lumumba's legacy and draw attention to historical events surrounding his death. During a match against Colombia, he also performed a gesture adopted by DRC players to protest ongoing violence and the humanitarian crisis in the eastern region of the country. This conflict, driven by armed groups competing for control of mineral wealth, has resulted in widespread casualties and displacement. His performances serve both as a public demonstration and a call for international awareness.