Belgian police search Tshisekedi properties

Belgian federal police conducted simultaneous searches on Wednesday in Brussels and surrounding provinces of properties belonging to family members of Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi.

Investigation targets mining corruption

The searches relate to a money laundering complaint filed in July twenty twenty-five, but the case involves broader accusations of corruption, embezzlement and financial offences linked to mining activities.

NGOs and former directors filed complaint

In early July twenty twenty-five, several NGOs in the Katanga region and four former directors of Gécamines, the state-owned mining company, filed a complaint with Belgian federal prosecutors against Tshisekedi family members.

Allegations of illegal mining exploitation

The complaint accuses family members of illegally exploiting mines and plundering mineral resources in Lualaba and Haut-Katanga provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nine family members hold Belgian nationality

The complaint was filed in Belgium because nine of the family members named in the case hold Belgian nationality. The president himself is not directly implicated in the searches.

Family members named in complaint

Members of the president's family named in the complaint include his wife, mother and brother. The prosecutor's office has not identified which properties were searched on Wednesday.

Family denies all allegations

Tshisekedi family lawyers rejected the allegations, describing them as entirely unfounded, false and defamatory in response to the investigation.

“entirely unfounded, false and defamatory”

Billions allegedly diverted from treasury

Jean-Pierre Muteba, spokesperson for the collective that brought the case, alleged that authorities misappropriated mining waste known as tailings and billions of dollars may have been diverted from the public treasury.

Recovered funds should support DRC development

According to the complaint, any funds found to have been misappropriated should be recovered and used to support the Democratic Republic of Congo's development.

DRC's mining sector faces corruption concerns

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the world's top producer of cobalt, a critical mineral used in rechargeable batteries.The country's mining sector has long faced allegations of corruption and lack of transparency in revenue management.