Democratic Republic of Congo: Government to Auction Properties of Former Electoral Commission Chief

The announcement was made on January 20 by Constant Mutamba, the Minister of State for Justice. It represents the execution of rulings from both the High Military Court and the Military Court of Kinshasa/Gombe, which last year sentenced Nangaa to the death penalty and ordered the confiscation and sale of his assets.

Confiscated Properties

According to the Ministry of Justice, the properties to be auctioned include:

• Hôtel Castelo, located on Avenue Prince de Liège in Gombe.
• Multiple villas, including those on Avenue Colonel Tshatshi (Gombe), Avenue Macampagne (Ngaliema), and Avenue Biangala (Salongo-Sud, Lemba).
• Two apartments in the DIKIN building in Gombe.
• A house under construction on Avenue Lowa (Kinshasa).
• A vacant plot on Avenue des Offr (Ngomba-Kinkusa, Ngaliema).

Proceeds to Support Victims of Conflict

In a press release, the Minister of State indicated that the proceeds from the auction would be used to compensate victims of the aggression perpetrated against the DRC by Rwanda.

“This sale represents a step toward justice for the victims of the war imposed on the DRC by Rwanda,” the statement emphasized.

Background

Corneille Nangaa, once a prominent figure in Congolese politics as head of CENI, was convicted after becoming the leader of the rebel movement Alliance of the Congo River (AFC). His conviction marked a dramatic fall from grace, highlighting the government's efforts to crack down on high-profile figures accused of fueling instability in the region.

A Broader Message

The sale of Nangaa’s properties sends a strong message to government officials and other individuals linked to insurgencies and corruption. As regional conflicts persist, the DRC government appears determined to demonstrate accountability and provide reparations to those impacted by ongoing violence.

With the auction date approaching, all eyes are on the execution of these rulings, as the proceeds are anticipated to play a vital role in supporting those affected by the country's prolonged conflict.