Officials from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s former President Joseph Kabila’s party appeared before a military prosecutor on Monday, in a development that signals escalating political tensions over the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. The officials, who belong to Kabila’s People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), were questioned regarding remarks made in February by Aubin Minaku, the party’s vice president and a former National Assembly president.
Jean Mbuyu, a lawyer representing the officials, stated that the reason for their summons was unclear. However, after their questioning, one of the officials indicated that it was related to Minaku’s remarks made on February 26. Minaku had previously stated that Kabila’s supporters “must be ready for anything,” a comment widely interpreted as a call for action against President Felix Tshisekedi’s government.
No charges were filed against the three officials Minaku, former Interior Minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, and national executive secretary Ferdinand Kambare who responded to the military prosecutor’s summons in Kinshasa. Their lawyer, Marcel Bombamba, confirmed that while nearly ten PPRD members were invited, only three attended the questioning.
This development comes amid accusations by President Tshisekedi that Kabila is backing the M23 rebel group, which has seized major cities in eastern Congo since January. Kabila has denied any links to M23 or other armed groups. Instead, he has been actively engaging with opposition leaders and civil society groups to discuss Congo’s political trajectory, further heightening tensions with the current administration.
Minaku has rejected any allegations of rebellion, insisting that the party remains committed to a republican approach, meaning loyalty to the Congolese state rather than armed resistance. He also distanced PPRD from any illicit foreign military presence in the country.
The latest resurgence of the M23 conflict is one of the most severe escalations in Congo’s protracted instability, which has roots in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the ongoing struggle for control over Congo’s vast mineral wealth. While Tshisekedi’s administration blames Rwanda for backing M23, Kigali denies providing military support, claiming its involvement is solely for self-defense.
As political tensions rise, the questioning of Kabila’s allies signals a deeper struggle for power within the Congolese political landscape, as the country grapples with security challenges and leadership disputes.
