Democratic Republic of Congo

(RSF/IFEX) – On 1 June 1998, Albert Bonsange Yema, director of the newspaper “L’Alarme”, was sentenced to one year in prison by the State Security Court for “threatening state security.” **Updates IFEX alert of 29 May 1998** Yema has been in detention since 7 February, following the newspaper’s publication on the same day of a […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – On 7 February 1998, Albert Gilbert Bosanga Yema, editor of the opposition newspapers “L’Alarme” and “L’Essor Africain”, was arrested in connection with an article published in both newspapers calling for the release of jailed opposition leader Joseph Olengankoy. Recommended Action Send appeals to authorities: urging them to immediately and unconditionally release Yema, who […]

(RSF/IFEX) – According to information made available by RSF on 27 May 1998, on 25 May, Kidimbu Mpese and Awazi Kharomon, production editor and assistant editor-in-chief respectively of the private newspaper “Le Soft,” were arrested in Kinshasa (the capital city), by military security forces. The two journalists are being detained at the National Security Council […]

(RSF/IFEX) – According to information released by Reporters sans frontieres (RSF) on 25 May 1998, on 18 May, Jose Kajangwa, director general of the national radio and television agency (RTNC), was arrested in Kinshasa with four of his colleagues. They were arrested after images of the massacre of civilian populations in Africa were broadcast on […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – On 15 May 1998, Peter Boehm, correspondent for the German newspaper “Die Tagezeitung” (TAZ), was deported to Germany. Boehm was arrested while photographing a volcano on 12 April 1998 in Goma (located in the eastern region of the country). He was detained in the civil prison in Kinshasa and charged with “espionage.” Authorities […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a 6 May 1998 letter to President Kabila RSF spoke out against the imprisonment of 4 journalists and a ban on a radio station. According to RSF, on 11 April 1998, Michel Luya, editor-in-chief of independent daily “Le Palmares”, was arrested in Kinshasa. He was released two days later. No charges were […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – On 18 April 1998, Andre Ipakakala, editor and proprietor of the independent newspaper “La Reference Plus”, was arrested by security officers. CPJ sources stated that the arrest is believed to be in connection with an article printed in “La Reference Plus” which reported on the discovery of mass graves and holding cells in […]

(NDIMA/IFEX) – According to NDIMA, Michel Ladi Luya, editor of the Kinshasa daily “Le Palmares”, has been released after being detained for three days. Ladi Luya said his arrest, on 11 April 1998, was in connection with “Le Palmares”‘s publication last week of a “Message to the People” by opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, who was […]

(HRW/IFEX) – As President Clinton recognizes the efforts of civil society in Africa, civil society activists in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are facing new attacks from their government. On April 2 1998, Human Rights Watch (HRW) charged that the Congolese authorities are cracking down on numerous independent voices–including journalists, academics, development experts, and […]

(RSF/IFEX) – According to RSF, on 25 February 1998, Modeste Mutinga, editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Le Potentiel”, was arrested by members of the National Information Agency. Mutinga was detained at the National Security Council (Conseil National de Securite) in Kinshasa. His arrest is linked to a 19 February article entitled “Kabila’s Kassai [inhabitants] sulk” (“Les […]

(RSF/IFEX) – According to information received by RSF, Bonsange Yema, editor of the newspaper “L’Alarme”, was arrested at his home on 7 February 1998. Yema is being detained at National Police Headquarters in Kinshasa. His arrest was in connection with the publication, in the 7 February 1998 edition of “L’Alarme”, of a press release demanding […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In an 8 July 1998 letter, RSF protested the occupation of the offices and printing house of the newspaper “Le Moniteur de l’Economie”, and the arrest of three of the printing house’s staff. According to RSF’s information, since the beginning of December 1997, the editorial offices and printing house of the privately-owned monthly […]

(RSF/IFEX) – On 22 December 1997, soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo army who were occupying, without explanation, the offices of the privately-owned newspaper “Elima” in Kinshasa since the beginning of November, ransacked the newspaper’s offices and its printing facilities. The soldiers then left the premises, taking with them the building’s doors and windows. […]

(RSF/IFEX) – On 6 December 1997, Pontien Tshisungu, a journalist with the broadcaster RTNC, was arrested and detained at Goma central prison. The arrest of Tshisungu is said to be linked to the disclosure of an attempted attack on Minister of the Interior Mwenze Kongolo during a trip by the minister to the Nord-Kivu region […]

(RSF/IFEX) – On 3 December 1997, Mossi Mwassi, radio correspondent in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the Swahili-language service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Deutchwelle, was arrested at his home by the Rapid Intervention Police (PIR). No official explanation was given for the arrest of Mwassi. He is being detained in […]

(RSF/IFEX) – On 25 November 1997, ten journalists were assaulted by police in Kinshasa. Following a press conference given by Arthur Z’ahidi Ngoma, leader of a political movement who was arrested the same day, police entered a bar where they took the journalists who had just attended the press conference to military headquarters in Kinshasa. […]