DRC Government cracks down on political parties; press freedom under threat

General

DRC grapples with unceasing violence and human rights violations

The human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains dire, particularly in the eastern regions. In September 2025, during the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed grave concern about the escalating crisis in the eastern DRC. Türk highlighted widespread human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, threats against activists, and intercommunal violence, emphasising the need for accountability and respect for international law.

Also, despite the ceasefire agreed upon in Washington and Doha in June and July 2025, the human rights situation in the DRC continues to worsen due to renewed clashes between government forces and armed groups, including the Rwandan-supported Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) armed group in the Eastern DRC. There are reports of hundreds of cases of summary executions carried out by the M23 rebel group, and by both the latter and the DRC-backed Wazalendo armed groups in July 2025, along with other severe human rights abuses such as rape and torture. In Uvira, South Kivu province, tensions have escalated between the Forces armées de la république démocratique du Congo (FARDC) and Wazalendo armed faction. These tensions have led to “ghost town” protests, violence, and civilian casualties.

Between 9th and 16th August 2025, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels affiliated with the Islamic State killed at least 52 civilians during an attack in several localities in North Kivu, in eastern DRC. In July 2025, an attack by ADF targeted a Catholic church in Komanda, Ituri province, northeastern DRC. The incident resulted in over 40 deaths, including 19 women, 15 men and nine children, primarily Christian worshippers, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region despite military efforts to counter insurgent activities.

Arbitrary arrests of two political party leaders

On 18th and 21st October 2025, in Kinshasa, the Agence nationale de renseignements (ANR) arrested and briefly detained Seth Kikuni, president of the political party Piste pour l’Alternance et l’Emergence, and Théophile Mbemba, former Chief of Staff to President Joseph Kabila and president of the political party Alliance pour l’alternance et le progrès. Kikuni and Mbemba were taken into custody after returning from Nairobi, where they had attended an opposition party meeting on 14th and 15th October 2025, organised by former President Joseph Kabila. Kikuni was apprehended upon his arrival at Ndjili International Airport in Kinshasa, while Mbemba was taken into custody at his residence. During their detention, the ANR agents interrogated Kikuni and Mbemba about the Nairobi meeting. Kikuni and Mbemba were released without charge a few hours after their arrest.

Convictions of DRC’s political elites

On 30th September 2025, the High Military Court in Kinshasa passed a death sentence in absentia on former President Joseph Kabila of the DRC. The High Military Court convicted Kabila of war crimes, including acts of rape, murder, incitement, treason, and collaboration with the M23 rebel group. Additionally, the Court ordered that Kabila pay $29 billion USD in reparations to Congo, along with $2 billion each to the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu in the DRC. This decision follows the Senate’s lifting of Kabila’s parliamentary immunity on 22nd May 2025, allowing legal proceedings against him for alleged war crimes and complicity with the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)-M23 rebellion.

On 2nd September 2025, the Court of Cassation in Kinshasa sentenced Constant Mutamba, the 37-year-old former Minister of Justice, to three years of hard labour and imposed a five-year ban on holding public office. This verdict was due to his embezzlement of public funds totalling $20 million USD in connection with a public procurement. The judgment was final, with no possibility of appeal.

On 20th May 2025, the Constitutional Court (CC) of Gombe sentenced former Prime Minister, and active Senator Matata Ponyo to 10 years in prison with hard labour after he was charged with misappropriating public funds intended for the Bukanga-Lonzo agro-industrial project. The CC ordered that he forfeit assets proportional to the embezzled sum of over $240 million USD.

Several FARDC soldiers arrested

In June-July 2025, the FARDC soldiers arrested and detained several senior officers for serious breaches of military discipline, with spokesperson General Sylvain Ekenge stating each was involved in acts violating the law or military regulations. The arrested officers are suspected of ties to former president Joseph Kabila and collusion with the AFC-M23 rebels. A manhunt continues for other military personnel linked to Kabila, while the abduction of General Pierre Banywesize has raised concerns over national cohesion, particularly as most targeted officers hail from the eastern region. As of October 2025, no judicial proceedings are planned against the detained officers.

Kinshasa Court sentenced nine to death for politically motivated murder of political activist Célestin Kabasele Wampanga

On 6th June 2025 in Kinshasa, Mr. Célestin Kabasele Wampanga, a longtime l’Union pour la démocratie et le progrès social (UDPS) activist, died from injuries sustained during a violent, politically motivated attack linked to internal rivalry between two key opposing factions in the party: Augustin Kabuya and Déo Bizibu factions (two prominent members of the UDPS political party). According to reports, pro-Kabuya supporters reportedly abducted Wampanga in the middle of the night on Kabuya’s orders and killed him for denouncing Kabuya’s management of the party and supporting an internal opponent, Déo Bizibu. The attackers used bladed weapons and physical force, causing Mr Wampanga’s death shortly after the assault.

On 10th June, the Kinshasa/Matete High Court sentenced nine of the eleven accused/defendants to death for the murder of Célestin Kabasele Wampanga. Two other defendants, Laurent Alomba and Mutombo Boya, were acquitted due to lack of evidence. The Court ordered those convicted to pay $200,000 USD in moral damages to the victim’s mother and $100,000 USD in damages to Paulin Tshilumba, a merchant injured in the incident.

Abduction of former Congolese Minister of Mines

On 22nd May 2025, in Kinshasa, unidentified individuals abducted former Congolese Minister of Mines Martin Kabwelulu along with his wife during a nighttime raid at their residence. Kabwelulu and his wife were illegally detained in a prison cell of the National Cyber Defense Council (CNC) in Kinshasa. Kabwelulu’s arrest was reportedly connected to investigations into controversial mining transactions and suspicions of embezzling public funds. He was also accused of having ties to the AFC-M23 rebellion to destabilise Eastern DRC. While his wife was released a few days later, Kabwelulu remained in detention until his release on 29th July 2025.

Whereabout of former president of the Electoral Commission, Daniel Ngoy Mulunda, remains unknown

In April 2025 various civil society organisations, such as the Justicia ASBL, and La Voix des Sans Voix pour les Droits de l’Homme (VSV), expressed their concerns about the whereabouts and detention conditions of Daniel Ngoy Mulunda, the former president of the Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI). On 18th December 2024, the Zambian security forces arbitrarily arrested Daniel Ngoy in Lusaka, Zambia in complicity with those of the DRC and reportedly illegally detained him in a secret prison cell in the military intelligence headquarters in Kinshasa. According to local news outlet Actualite.cd, he may have died since 23rd March 2025.

ASSOCIATION

LUCHA activist arrested, sentenced, sentence overturned on appeal

On 1st October 2025 in Kisangani, Tshopo Province, agents of the Police nationale congolaise (PNC) arrested and detained Jedidia Mabela, HRD, and a member of the Mouvement citoyen Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA)). Mabela’s arrest came the day after a peaceful sit-in was held in front of the Provincial Assembly headquarters, on the occasion of the opening of the September parliamentary session on 30th September 2025. During the sit-in, Mabela read a memorandum criticising the provincial government’s management. In the memorandum, Mabela accused the Governor of Tshopo Province, Paulin Lendongolia, of misusing public funds. On 2nd October, in a public trial the Kisangani Court of First Instance sentenced Mabela to six months in prison for “spreading false rumours” and fined him 1,500,000 Congolese francs (approximately $639 USD). On 27th October, during the appeal proceedings, the Kisangani Court of Appeal annulled the six-month prison sentence handed down by the Court of First Instance.

Political parties face suspension and dissolution threats

On 19th April 2025, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Jacquemain Shabani, suspended the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) and its activities nationwide. In an official communique, the Minister justified this decision, citing Kabila’s ‘ambiguous attitude’ and his ‘deliberate choice to return to the country via Goma.’ On 24th April 2025, the Interior Minister appealed to the CC to dissolve the PPRD and three other political parties. The ministry accused Kabila and these parties of collaborating with the M23 rebel group.

On 15th May 2025, the government suspended three additional political parties: L’Union des Patriotes Congolais/Forces Patriotiques pour la Libération du Congo (UPC/FPLC) led by Thomas Lubanga, Mouvement lumumbiste progressiste (MLP) of Franck Diongo, and l’Action pour la dignité du Congo et de son peuple (ADCP) of Corneille Nangaa. The ministry accused Kabila and these parties of collaborating with the M23 rebel group.

On 6th May 2025, the PPRD defied the suspension order, unilaterally resuming its nationwide activities. The party’s press spokesman justified this move by citing Article 29 of Law No. 04/002, which stipulates that such suspensions are automatically lifted after 15 days unless extended through legal action.

On 13th May 2025, the Minister of Interior re-initiated proceedings with the CC to push for the dissolution of the PPRD political party, reiterating the allegations of the PPRD’s collaboration with the AFC-M23 rebel coalition.

EXPRESSION

DRC’s press freedom declines

In a recent publication by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the DRC has suffered a significant setback in the World Press Freedom Index 2025, plummeting from 123rd to 133rd position, a decline explained by the current peace and security dynamics in the east, structural economic weaknesses, and media independence at half-mast.

Journalist killed by unknown assailants

On 5th August 2025 in Bukavu, South Kivu province, unknown assailants abducted and killed journalist Fiston Wilondja Mukamba, former staff member of the Media Monitoring Center - a self-regulation programme of the National Union of the Press of Congo (UNPC) - and journalist at Ngoma ya Kivu Radio and Television (RTNK) . His lifeless body was found near Nguba market in the Ibanda commune. The circumstances surrounding Mukamba’s death remain unknown. The UNPC called for a thorough investigation into Mukamba’s death.

Journalist injured, threatened with death

On 1st October 2025 in Uvira, South Kivu Province, two men reportedly injured Chimusa, a journalist at Référence Congo FM, with a knife while he was boarding a motorcycle taxi after work. Prior to this incident, in September 2025, unidentified individuals had issued persistent death threats to Chimusa. These threats followed the radio debates Chimusa hosted on 4th and 5th September 2025, which criticised the coverage of Uvira’s “ghost town” protests. On 7th and 12th September, Chimusa received three text messages accusing him of inciting hatred against the ethnic group of General Olivier Gasita, a military commander, after his appointment as Deputy Commander of the 33rd Military Region. On 8th September 2025, three individuals, two of whom were armed with knives, attacked Chimusa as he was returning home from work and stole his phone and laptop.

Journalist remanded in custody for alleged espionage

On 27th September 2025 in Butembo, Butembo territory, North Kivu province, government military intelligence officers arrested and detained Aimé Paluku, a journalist working for the state-owned Congolese National Radio Television (RTNC). Paluku faced allegations of espionage on behalf of the M23 rebel group. The officers confiscated his phone and laptop. Paluku remained in custody on 28th and 29th September. He was eventually released on 1st October 2025, with his belongings returned to him.

Journalist arrested, detained and released without charge

On 27th August 2025 in Kinshasa, ANR agents arrested and detained Tuver Wundi, correspondent for Journaliste en Danger. According to Wundi, he was detained and questioned for four days at the ANR premises and released without charge on 30st August, and his two phones returned on 5th September 2025. The reason for Wundi’s arrest remains unknown. It should be recalled that in March 2025 in Goma, AFC-M23 intelligence arrested and detained Wundi after M23 rebels captured Goma.

Media outlet suspended, three journalists arrested

On 29th July 2025 in Mwene-Ditu, Lomami province, Mayor Gérard Tshibanda Kabue indefinitely suspended Radio Nsenda Muana for allegedly inciting tribal hatred and encouraging tax noncompliance. The suspension followed a 28th July broadcast where listeners criticised Tshibanda's management. On 31st July, the police arrested three Radio Nsenda Muana journalists: programme director Ally Clovis Kaseba and reporters Prince Lulamba and Albin Mukadi and took them to the PNC holding cell. The motive for the arrests remains unknown. Kaseba, Lulamba and Mukadi were detained until 4th August 2025, when Lomami provincial Governor, Lawyer Iron-Van Kalombo, ordered their release. The Higher Council of Audiovisual and Communication and the National Press Union of Congo condemned the suspension as illegal, with the latter threatening an “embargo” on media coverage of Tshibanda’s work if the decision is not reversed. Radio Nsenda Muana was eventually reopened on 9th August, following the decision of the Governor of Lomami province.

Journalists assaulted and detained

On 23rd July 2025 in Kisangani, Tshopo province, ministry officials physically assaulted three journalists – Steves Paluku, Paul Beyokobana, and Sébastien Mulamba – at the Tshopo province Ministry of Finance office. The journalists, who work for private media outlets, were attempting to question Finance Minister Patrick Valencio about his alleged involvement in a television series. Officials beat the journalists with sticks and fists, injuring Beyokobana’s hand. Armed police then detained the journalists overnight at a local police station and the Kisangani public prosecutor’s office. Paluku, Beyokobana and Mulamba were released on 24th July, and ordered to appear at the prosecutor’s office on 28th July.

Journalist threatened with death for critical reporting on FONAREV’s activities

On 2nd July 2025 in Tshikapa, Kasaï province, journalist Sadam Kapanda, who works for Notre Chaîne de Radio and Identitenews, allegedly received death threats from Myrhant Mulumba, the Regional Coordinator of the National Fund for the Repair of Victims of Sexual Violence and Crimes against Peace and Security of Humanity (FONAREV), and Kasaï provincial Minister of the Interior Peter Tshisuaka for his critical reporting of FONAREV activities. Kapanda had reported on alleged fraud and nepotism within FONAREV. The threats escalated, with unidentified callers making additional threats on 9th July, and two armed men attempting to break into Kapanda’s home on 15th July. Despite the ongoing intimidation, including further threats on 16th and 17th July, no police investigation was initiated.

Journalist in hiding after receiving multiple death threats

Since July 2025, journalist Pacifique Muliri, who works for the Congolese Press Agency (ACP) and contributes independently to Africa Mining Intelligence, a French-based news outlet focused on the mining industry, has been in hiding because of death threats linked to his coverage of illegal gold mining in South Kivu Province. In his report, Muliri claimed that there were collaborations between rebel groups and government officials at the Lomera mine in the Kabare territory, South Kivu province.

On 4th July 2025, the AFC-M23 rebel group attacked Muliri’s residence in Bukavu, and on 6th July, unidentified individuals broke into his home and stole Muliri's media items. Since these incidents, Muliri has been hiding. After going into hiding in July, he received death threats in phone calls and text messages from unknown numbers, including a death threat on 19th September 2025. According to Muliri, at least three individuals, including Fiston Wilondja, a former journalist-turned-photographer involved in his investigation, have been mysteriously killed.

Military detains journalist for sharing photo of fighter jets

On 26th June 2025 in Kisangani, Tshopo province, military authorities arrested and detained journalist Serge Sindani in a military intelligence cell for posting a photo of military planes on social media. Sindani, Director General of Kis24.info, had shared an image of Sukhoi fighter jets at Bangoka International Airport with a caption describing the city as calm and under control. Colonel Mwambi, who questioned Sindani, accused him of filming military aircraft without authorisation during an ongoing conflict in the region. The military interrogated Sindani about his intentions behind the publication and confiscated his phones. Sindani was released on 27th June.

Media regulator imposes 90-day ban on coverage of former president Kabila and his political party

On 3rd June 2025, Christian Bosembe, the president of the Higher Council for Audiovisual and Communication (CSAC), the DRC’s media regulator, announced a 90-day suspension of media coverage concerning former President Joseph Kabila and his political party, the PPRD. The directive also prohibits communication channels from “offering space” to PPRD members or Kabila, “under penalty of very heavy sanction in accordance with the law.” The directive justified this action by alleging that Kabila and the party financially and ideologically support the AFC-M23 and rebel coalition in the eastern part of the DRC. Bosembe defended the media ban as a precautionary measure, not censorship, to prevent television from becoming a platform for subversion. The Committee to Protect Journalists urged the DRC authorities to reverse the decision and cease threatening legal action for reporting on matters of public interest.

New press freedom legislation on the horizon

On 5th May 2025, during the celebration of International Press Freedom Day in Kinshasa, Patrick Muyaya, the Minister for Communication and Media, revealed that draft legislation concerning the status of Congolese journalists is nearing completion. This new legal framework is set to replace the ordinance-law from 1981 and aims to establish clear methods for identifying professional journalists. The proposed legislation is anticipated to be presented to the Council of Ministers for review and approval. The minister also emphasised that the draft law will be supported by additional subsidiary legislations. Additionally, Patrick Muyaya highlighted the revival of the committee’s work on the recommendations from the national conference on communication and reiterated the intention to decriminalise press offences.

Additionally, on 12th September 2025, the DRC National Human Rights Commission launched the official ceremony on the identification and registration of HRDs in the DRC. The aim is to create an enabling environment for DRC HRDs to effectively fulfil their duties.

Media professionals abducted and later released by AFC-M23 armed group

On 25th May 2025, in Goma, combatants of the AFC-M23 armed group abducted Jérémie Wakahasha Bahati, the director of Radiotélévision Chrétienne porte étroite (RTCPE), and transferred him to a prison cell within the Provincial Assembly of North Kivu. The AFC-M23 accused Bahati of spreading information on social media about the assassination of a bus driver during an armed attack in the Kyeshero neighbourhood of Mugunga locality, Goma territory, allegedly carried out by the AFC-M23 rebel coalition. However, Bahati denied these allegations. On 11th June 2025, the AFC-M23 released Bahati.

On 24th February 2025 in Goma, AFC-M23 armed group combatants abducted Tuver Wundi, the provincial director of RTNC. Although the exact reasons for his abduction were never explained, it occurred during a period of heightened tension when journalists and activists frequently face threats for their efforts to uncover human rights violations and abuses by armed groups. He was released on 7th March 2025, following the advocacy efforts of civil society and media organisations.

RTNC journalist Willy-Albert Kande detained for 72 hours after criticising stadium conditions; three colleagues briefly arrested and questioned

On 9th and 11th June 2025 in Kinshasa, PNC agents arrested four RTNC journalists: Willy-Albert Kande, a sports journalist; Laurent Ngala, the deputy director; Marcelin Mwananteba, the sports desk officer; and Don Kubutuka, a cameraman-editor. They were accused of participating in the production of a special sports edition broadcast on 8th June 2025, which discussed the condition of the Martyrs Stadium. During this broadcast, dedicated to the friendly match between the DRC and Madagascar, Willy-Albert Kande denounced the stadium’s deplorable condition. On 9th June, Willy-Albert Kande and Marcelin Mwananteba were arrested. While Mwananteba was released the same day after questioning, Kande was taken to a prison cell of the Légion nationale d’intervention (LÉNI) before being transferred to the National Security Council, an intelligence service based at the presidency of the Republic. On 11th June, Laurent Ngala and Don Kubutuka were arrested but released the same day after questioning. Willy-Albert Kande was also released on 11th June, after having spent 72 hours in detention.

Journalist abducted, tortured

On 15th April 2025 in Bukavu, South Kivu province, men dressed in civilian attire abducted Amisi Musada Émérite, the editor-in-chief of the media outlet site Déboutrdc.net for publishing an article about the ongoing war in the region. Émérite endured four days of captivity, during which he was subjected to torture and sexual assaults. Émérite was found on 19th April 2025 on the outskirts of Bukavu with visible signs of torture.

Journalist arrested, detained and conditionally released on bail

On 2nd July 2025, in Kenge, located in the Kenge territory of Kwango province, the police, acting on the public prosecutor’s orders, arrested Paz Miluta, a journalist and Director of the magazine Kwango Presse. Miluta was subsequently held in police custody at the Kenge High Court Prosecutor’s Office holding cell. According to the UNPC, Kwango section, Miluta’s arrest followed his criticism of “the abuses of power and immoral behaviour of a magistrate from the prosecutor’s office” in Kenge, particularly concerning arrests made on public holidays. On 3rd July, there was an unprecedented media strike as the UNPC, Kwango branch, announced the suspension of radio broadcasts starting from 3rd July. On 5th July 2025, Miluta’s arrest sparked public protests in Kenge, organised by the Provincial Youth Council, with thousands of young people and civil society activists taking to the streets to denounce the arrest as “humiliating and barbaric.” On 9th July, Miluta appeared before the Peace Court for his first hearing, where no charges were presented, nor was there an adversarial hearing. Miluta’s defence lawyer requested his provisional release pending further judicial proceedings. On 10th July, the president of the Peace Court in Kwango issued a provisional release order granting Miluta bail from the Kenge Central prison where he was being detained. The Peace Court also prohibited Miluta from leaving Kenge territory until a final decision in the case is proclaimed.

Abduction, arrest of journalists over defamation allegations

On 4th August 2025 in Gombe district in Kinshasa, three individuals dressed in civilian attire abducted Mrs Glody Ndaya, Board member of the Congolese Association of Women Journalists of the Written Press (ACOFEPE) and General Director of web radio Event.cd, while returning from a professional meeting. She was taken to the provincial police station without official explanation. This arrest followed a complaint by Dr Vincent Lokonga, a renowned medical oncologist, in response to an article published by the web radio Event.cd media outlet, which Ndaya “neither wrote nor signed.” The article accused Dr Lokonga of charging exorbitant fees for treatments that were supposed to be free. Ndaya spent her first night in police custody at the PNC provincial station in Kinshasa before being transferred to the High Court Prosecutor’s Office of Kinshasa/Gombe, and subsequently to Makala Central Prison, all without having received any prior summons. ACOFEPE condemned the abduction as a “brutal and unjustified” violation of press freedom and the safety of women journalists, calling for Ndaya’s immediate and unconditional release. Ndaya was eventually released on bail on 7th August 2025.

Journalist arrested and detained

On 4th August 2025, journalist Espérant Kasongo, journalist for the media outlet Siloë TV was arrested and detained at the Kalamu Prosecutor’s Office prison cell following a complaint by gospel singer Mike Kalambayi of alleged public insults and defamation. Kasongo’s arrest followed statements made on Six TV about Mike Kalambay. Kasongo denies the charges and claims no confrontation occurred with the complainant. On 6th August, Kasongo was transferred to Makala prison in Kinshasa.

ASSEMBLY

Doctors’ protest in Tshopo after deadly attacks on healthcare workers

On 13th October 2025, in Kisangani, Tshopo province, members of the Provincial Council of the Order of Doctors (Coprom) staged a 48-hour protest against the assassination of four healthcare workers, including two doctors, the previous week in Isangi town. The strike followed a series of violent incidents against health professionals, including doctors being stoned and burned alive in Ilambi and Yanfira on 6th October, after false accusations of sorcery. Coprom demanded the arrest of those responsible for the murders, called for an end to vigilante justice and disinformation, and maintained only minimum services in hospitals. Local authorities did not authorise the planned protest march. The Belgian development agency (Enabel) suspended its activities in certain areas of Isangi following the assassination of the health workers.

Deadly protests in Uvira over controversial military appointment

On 8th September 2025, tensions escalated in Uvira, Uvira territory, South Kivu province, as hundreds of protesters, including Wazalendo militias and civil society members demonstrated against the appointment of General Olivier Gasita as Deputy Commander of the 33rd Military Region. Gasita, allegedly a Congolese Tutsi, is accused of having ties with the AFC-M23 armed group which contributed to the fall of Bukavu to the M23 in February 2025. The protest resulted in five deaths, including that of a 12-year-old, and injury to five civilians. In response, Gasita was recalled to Kinshasa, and a government delegation was sent to Uvira for reconciliation.

Authorities arrest and brutally detain three LUCHA activists

On 18th July 2025 in Kolwezi, Lualaba province, PNC agents, acting on orders from the Mayor of Kolwezi and reportedly backed by the provincial authorities of Lualaba, arrested three LUCHA members: Leonard Zama, Patient Tshiteta, and Tonton Mpoyi. The three activists were arrested during a public demonstration protesting the increasing insecurity in the region caused by armed men targeting civilians. The three LUCHA militants were accused of organising a peaceful demonstration without authorisation from a competent authority. On 9th July, LUCHA had sent a letter to the authorities informing them about the public demonstration. Zama, Tshiteta and Mpoyi were detained with extreme brutality and subjected to inhumane treatment and torture at the Kolwezi Public Prosecutor’s Office before being transferred to Dilala Central prison on 21st July,. The public prosecutor released Zama, Tshiteta and Mpoyi on 24th July.

OCC employees protest, demand management resignation

On 3rd June 2025, in Kinshasa, employees of the Office Congolais de Contrôle (OCC) held a peaceful protest in front of OCC’s headquarters, demanding the resignation of the current management committee. The strike, initiated following a general assembly on 31st May 2025, was prompted by allegations of mismanagement, including late salary payments, lack of healthcare access, and insufficient operational funding for regional branches. Abedi Mwanantemba, vice president of the OCC’s national union delegation, expressed frustration over the OCC’s decline since the current management took over. Police officers blocked the entrance as protesters chanted and whistled for the Director General’s departure.

On 4th June 2025, a joint union-employer commission of the OCC held negotiations with the protesters to discuss a memorandum of understanding to resolve the grievances of the dissatisfied employees.