The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has prohibited the media from reporting or covering any activities related to the party of former leader Joseph Kabila within the country.
The head of Congo’s media and communications regulator announced that the ban would extend to all print, broadcast, and digital platforms, with violations leading to suspension.
Christian Bosembe justified the decision, stating it aligns with a government embargo on the operations of Joseph Kabila’s People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy.
Congolese officials accuse Kabila of backing the Rwanda-supported M23 rebels who dominate two provinces in the eastern part of the country.
Kabila, who appeared publicly last week in Goma, a city under M23 control, has refuted these allegations.
In May, the upper house of Congo’s parliament voted to revoke his immunity, which could potentially lead to his prosecution.
A prosecutor is currently looking into Kabila for treasonous activities. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba has indicated that among the charges he faces are “treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and involvement in an insurrectional movement” in the eastern region of the country.
Kabila, who governed Congo from 2001 to 2019, has expressed his desire to contribute to peace.
