The key facts

  • The presidency of the DR Congo banned staff from contacts with the Belgian embassy until further notice
  • The directive was issued one day after searches at the homes of President Tshisekedi's relatives in Brussels
  • The investigation was launched following complaints filed by NGOs in July 2025

Ban on contacts with the embassy

The presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday issued a circular instructing staff of the office of the president to refrain, until further notice, from any direct or indirect contacts with the Belgian embassy in Kinshasa, as well as with its diplomatic and administrative personnel. The document was signed by the head of the office of the president, Anthony Nkinzо. If there is a need to contact Belgian officials, all communication must be authorized and conducted through the ministry of foreign affairs.

Link to the searches in Brussels

The directive appeared one day after Belgian police carried out searches at the homes of several relatives of President Felix Tshisekedi in Brussels. The searches were conducted as part of a judicial investigation into money-laundering allegations linked to Congo's revenues from the mining sector. The investigation was opened at the request of the federal prosecutor's office following complaints filed by non-governmental organizations in July 2025.

Reason for the decision not stated

The circular does not state the reasons for the decision, and it is unclear whether the directive from the head of the office of the president is connected to the searches. Nkinzо warned that violations of the directive would result in appropriate administrative and disciplinary measures.