Everything started on July 1st during a meeting led by Governor Jacques Kyabula. In a video that later surfaced, he heavily criticized Rwanda, accusing it of starting the war in the eastern part of the country. According to him, Rwanda must be the primary focus, instead of targeting former President Joseph Kabila and Corneille Nangaa, the coordinator of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), whom he described as Congolese nationals.
He added that their case could be dealt with later. These comments were reportedly poorly received in Kinshasa, especially since Joseph Kabila’s lifelong senatorial immunity was recently revoked, and he is accused of collaborating with Corneille Nangaa, who was sentenced to death in absentia.
A few days later, the Ministry of Interior summoned Kyabula to Kinshasa, but he did not respond. One government official stated:
“This kind of summons is not up for discussion, it is to be executed.”
Two days after the summons, Kyabula claimed he was ill. Since then, nothing has happened. Police and immigration officials began searching for him, but he could not be located, not even by phone. RFI also reported that it could not reach him.
Sources close to him insist he is still in Lubumbashi and that his doctors advised him to turn off his phone. However, this version is doubted by security agencies, and one of his family members has been arrested.
According to reports, he may have attempted to leave the country.
One official told RFI:
“We are in a key province, rich in mineral resources, and where two influential figures, Katumbi and Kabila, have sided with the opposition.”
Meanwhile, Jacques Kyabula has been replaced by his deputy, who is currently acting as interim governor.
