Nicolas Kazadi, the former Minister of Finance of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was arrested late last night in the city of Mbuji-Mayi, the capital of Kasai Oriental Province. The operation was carried out discreetly but with reported excessive force, as seen in exclusive footage and witness accounts.
Eyewitnesses say Kazadi was taken from his home by plainclothes police officers. Shortly after, an emergency aircraft dispatched by authorities flew him from Bipemba Airport to Kinshasa.
Sources close to the case suggest the arrest may be linked to recent public statements made by Kazadi that reportedly upset some individuals in power. Security agencies at the highest level are believed to have been involved in the arrest, and the silence from the government and judiciary has further fueled speculation about the seriousness of the case.
Kazadi, a respected political figure and member of President Tshisekedi’s UDPS party, served as Finance Minister from April 2021. In April 2024, he had been barred from leaving the country amid investigations into alleged corruption in a water infrastructure project.
Although parliament opened a formal inquiry in June 2024, and he was cleared of all charges in October, this new arrest has reignited political tensions, raising concerns about basic freedoms and the rule of law in the DRC. The case is being closely watched both domestically and internationally.
