A Congolese court has sentenced former Justice Minister Constant Mutamba to three years of forced labour after finding him guilty of embezzling $19 million earmarked for the construction of a prison in Kisangani.
The Court of Cassation delivered the verdict on Tuesday, with presiding judge Jacques Kabasele ruling that the 37-year-old not only misappropriated public funds but also betrayed the trust of his office. Mutamba will also be barred from contesting elections for five years after serving his sentence.
Mutamba, who served under President Félix Tshisekedi in 2024 and 2025, resigned in June following his arrest but has continued to deny wrongdoing. His supporters staged protests in Kinshasa last week, clashing with police and forcing the court to postpone its ruling.
Prosecutors said the $19 million allocated for the Kisangani prison project was diverted under Mutamba’s watch. His prosecution was authorised in May by the attorney general, paving the way for the high-profile trial.
The former minister’s conviction marks a sharp reversal in fortune, as he had recently pushed for legal action against ex-President Joseph Kabila over alleged links to the M23 rebel group.
While the ruling reinforces President Tshisekedi’s pledge to fight corruption, it has also stirred political tensions, with critics arguing the case reflects broader power struggles in the capital.
