Kinshasa, March 23rd, 2026 (CPA).- The cooperation on cross-border crime and the fight against corruption were the subject of discussions on Monday in Brussels, Belgium, between the Minister in charge of Justice of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a Belgian prosecutor, according to an X account consulted by CPA. “To begin his mission on Monday March 23rd, 2026, Minister of State Guillaume Ngefa has met with Ms Ann Franse, a Belgian federal prosecutor, in her office at the federal prosecutor’s office. The cooperation on cross-border crime and the fight against corruption and money laundering were at the heart of their discussions,” it is read on the X account of the Minister of State in charge of Justice and Keeper of the Seals. At the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office in Brussels, they have talked about cooperation on cross-border crime and the fight against corruption and money laundering. During an interview, the Federal Prosecutor Franse has outlined the key areas of this cooperation.
She has indicated that the meeting followed on from discussions last November, and that the aim was to exchange best practices and organise training sessions between magistrates and investigators specialising in financial and economic crime and social security fraud. She has added that Belgium had offered to share its expertise, particularly regarding crypto-assets. The federal prosecutor has also stated that both parties discussed the restitution of assets and the possibility of sharing seized and confiscated property, a crucial issue for DRC.
Congolese Minister of State in charge of Justice, on the right, during the discussions
“Belgium can prosecute offences committed outside its territory, particularly active and passive corruption. Joint cases already exist, which allows the two countries to collaborate even if the offences did not take place in Belgium,” she has argued. Finally, she has noted that DRC has just established an economic and financial criminal court, whilst Belgium is setting up a financial section within its federal public prosecutor’s office.
According to the prosecutor, the two parties have planned to exchange legislation, best practices and experiences, and to work closely between their financial units to facilitate the fight against organised crime. For his part, Mr Frederic Van Leeuw, President of the College of Public Prosecutors, has warned against the dangers of social media. He has reminded that a recent ruling by the Belgian Court of Cassation now distinguishes social media posts from press offences, making it possible to prosecute comments that incite violence. “A crucial issue, as demonstrated by the radicalisation of jihadists via social media,” he has emphasised. And to point out: “30% of social media content is produced by 1% of influencers, who are often very radical, and the response must involve education and dialogue with young people”, before concluding that cooperation between Belgium and DRC must adapt to legislative differences. At the end of the day, the Congolese Minister in charge of Justice has held a meeting with Ms Anneleen Van Bossuyt, Minister in charge of Asylum and Migration, to discuss judicial coordination.
Guillaume Ngefa, Congolese Minister of State in charge of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, accompanied by Firmin Mvonde, Attorney General at the Court of Cassation, are on a mission in Brussels from March 23rd to 30th, 2026.