Belgian searches targeting people close to the president: Patrick Muyaya denounces “political instrumentalization”

Searches were conducted in Belgium at residences belonging to members of the family and associates of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, who face allegations of money laundering and looting of mineral resources. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya condemned what he called a one-sided investigation and said a complaint filed by a consortium of NGOs appeared to be part of an effort to destabilize the government politically. Kinshasa sent an official protest to Belgian authorities while saying diplomatic channels remain open. Muyaya noted that one of the searched residences is a rental house the president temporarily occupies when traveling.