His team exited the Africa Cup of Nations heartbreakingly, but Michel Kuka Mboladinga of the Democratic Republic of Congo has emerged as one of the tournament’s most unforgettable figures. Known widely as the “human statue,” Kuka captured global attention for his silent, motionless tribute during every DR Congo match.
Dressed in bright national colours, Kuka stands completely still throughout games, eyes lifted toward the sky, right arm raised with an open palm. His striking presence quickly spread across international media, turning him into a symbol that extended far beyond football.
On Tuesday, his growing influence was evident as he arrived at the last-16 clash against Algeria in Rabat alongside hundreds of Congolese supporters. Their journey to Morocco was sponsored by the DR Congo government, underscoring how deeply Kuka’s image had resonated back home. Despite the Leopards’ 1-0 defeat after a late extra-time goal, the focus in the stands remained firmly on the man who had become the face of Congolese fandom at the tournament.
Why does DR Congo’s human statue fan stand still during matches?
Kuka’s pose is not random or theatrical. It is directly inspired by a statue of Patrice Lumumba that stands in Kinshasa. Lumumba was a central figure in DR Congo’s independence struggle and briefly served as the country’s first prime minister in 1960 before his assassination the following year.
Lumumba’s death remains one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history. He was killed by a combination of Katanga separatists and Belgian mercenaries, after which his body was dissolved in acid. Decades later, it emerged that some remains, including a tooth, had been kept in Belgium. The episode continues to shape relations between Belgium and its former colony.
By adopting the Lumumba pose, Kuka transformed football stadiums into spaces of remembrance and identity. Congolese supporters attending the tournament expressed pride in seeing this tribute displayed on such a prominent stage. During a gathering of fans in Casablanca on the eve of the Algeria match, emotions ran high.
Kuka is “our brother”, said 30-year-old Laetitia Malula. “He has chosen to imitate Lumumba…our hero. That is we why we chant his name.”
What message is Kuka sending beyond football?
DR Congo’s AFCON campaign has unfolded against the backdrop of renewed conflict in the eastern part of the country near the Rwandan border, where fighting has intensified since 2021 due to the resurgence of the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group. In this context, Kuka’s silent stance has taken on deeper meaning.
Kuka himself declined to speak publicly during the tournament, reportedly stepping back from interviews due to overwhelming media attention. However, Jered Bitobo, head of communication for the supporters’ group to which Kuka belongs, explained the symbolism behind the pose.
“He is sending out a strong message, both at local and international level. The open palm is a sign of peace and we need peace in our country,” Bitobo said.
The gesture has been interpreted as a call for unity and calm during a period of national uncertainty. What began several years ago at matches of leading Congolese club AS Vita Club has now become an international symbol, carried onto one of Africa’s biggest football stages.
By Yockshard Enyendi