The Democratic Republic of Congo has imposed a sweeping media blackout on former President Joseph Kabila and his political party, amid escalating accusations linking him to rebel activities in the conflict-torn east of the country.
Christian Bosembe, head of the national media and communications regulator, announced that the ban applies across all platforms—print, broadcast, and digital. He warned that any violation would lead to immediate suspension of the outlet involved. The directive aligns with an existing government embargo on the activities of Kabila’s People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD). The government accuses Kabila of backing the Rwanda-supported M23 rebel group, which currently controls parts of North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Tensions deepened after Kabila appeared publicly last week in Goma, a city under M23 control. He has denied any involvement with the rebels and claims to be working for peace in the region.
In a major legal shift last month, Congo’s Senate voted to lift Kabila’s immunity from prosecution, opening the door to a possible trial. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba has confirmed that prosecutors are investigating Kabila for “treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and participation in an insurrectional movement.”
Kabila governed the DRC from 2001 to 2019, and while he has largely stayed out of the spotlight since leaving office, his recent actions and the government’s response have reignited political tensions. The media ban has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates who warn it undermines democratic transparency
