After returning to his home country, Congo, from a two-year self-imposed exile, Joseph Kabila Kabange has had his name swiftly banned from the airwaves, along with coverage of his party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy(PPRD). As former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kabila served as the country’s fourth leader from 2001 to 2019.
His presidency began just ten days after the assassination of his father. In 2018, he finally stepped down, making the nations first peaceful transition of power-from his authoritarian rule to an election-based government. Independent observers, however, viewed his handover as a strategic move by Kabila, allowing a likely ally to win the elections and protect his interests.
Despite these concerns, the Supreme Council of Audiovisual and Communication(CSAC) has now banned the media from reporting on Kabila’s activities. The directive, which applies to print, broadcast, and digital platforms, threatens violators with suspension. This move follows Kabila’s return from South Africa and rising tensions between himself and his successor, President Felix Tshisekedi. Authorities also suspended PPRD activities in April.
However, the ban has not been enforced uniformly, particularly in areas under the M23, a rebel group frequently linked to Kabila. The current government has accused the ex-president of serious offenses and is pushing for his prosecution on charges ranging from war to crimes and crimes against humanity to treason.
A nationwide address by Kabila delivered on YouTube but since removed, criticised the current administration and President Tshisekedi, while offering proposals for restoring peace in the conflict ridden eastern region. Since his return, Kabila has remained very active, especially in the eastern city of Goma, which is under M23 control.
Angela Quintal, Africa’s Regional Director for the Committee to Protect Journalists, has condemned the ban, sating, “The Congolese people need unfettered access to information, not censorship.”. Jean- Claude Katende, President of the African Association for the Defence of Human Rights, has similarly called the ban an “abuse of power.” On X, political analyst Ambroise Mamba warned that the CSAC’s move may backfire by fuelling public curiosity about Kabila and his recent actions, as well as his party.
Media restrictions are not new and are often criticised globally for seeking to control narratives, suppress dissent, and uphold the ruling government’s perspective. Countries such as China, North Korea, Russia, Iran and Eritrea just to mention a few, have imposed various bans and censorship laws, severely limiting access to independent journalism and international news. In some of these nations, reporting that contradicts official narratives is criminalised, with harsh penalties imposed on journalists who challenge the government.
The situation in DR Congo is a stark reminder of how swiftly political tensions can impact the press, leaving it as dangerous crossroads.
Featured image: Photo by Jonathan Gong on Unsplash
