Kasaï Oriental: Governor appeals for calm after being charged

Mbuji-Mayi, May 12^th, 2025 (CPA)- On Monday, the Governor of Kasaï Oriental, in the centre of the Democratic Republic of Congo, appealed to the population for calm. He said he was awaiting the verdict of the courts regarding his impeachment by the Provincial Assembly. ‘With regard to the decision taken by the Provincial Assembly during its plenary session on Saturday May 10^th, 2025 to bring the provincial governor before the courts on the grounds that he has allegedly embezzled 3 million US dollars, I ask the people of East Kasai to be calm and serene and await the verdict of the courts, which will determine the law’, has declared Jean-Paul Mbwebwa Kapo, Governor of Kasai Oriental. This appeal by the head of the provincial executive follows the tense situation in the town on Monday, when some supporters burnt tyres to protest against the decision of the Provincial Assembly. Meeting in plenary session on Saturday as part of a review of the provincial government’s financial management, Kasai Oriental deputies had brought Governor Jean Paul Mbwebwa Kapo and several ministers to justice for alleged misappropriation of public funds. Fourteen (14) of the 24 deputies have voted in favour of this resolution, with 9 against and one abstention. The recommendation for this decision stems from a parliamentary enquiry report to the provincial authority, a commission charged with gathering information and examining the financial, administrative and technical management of the provincial government for the period from July 1^st, 2024 to February 10^th, 2025.