DRC CSM: Condemns Aggression Against Kisangani Prosecutor

• Public Prosecutor Ikobia Bahati was reportedly subjected to violence and threats by police officers during a sanitation operation in Kisangani.
• The Conseil supérieur de la magistrature (CSM) condemned the aggression on September 7, 2026, following a viral video of the incident.
• The CSM emphasized that magistrates are entitled to state protection and that such acts undermine judicial independence and the rule of law.
• A judicial inquiry has been opened, and several police officers, including the alleged commanding officer, have been detained in connection with the incident.
• The police had not yet issued a public statement regarding the events at the time the original report was published, while the CSM awaits full accountability.

The CSM views such acts as a direct assault on the independence justice RDC and the broader rule of law.

Public Prosecutor Ikobia Bahati, who also serves as the head of the Makiso Peace Tribunal in Kisangani, Tshopo province, was reportedly subjected to violence and threats. This incident occurred during a municipal operation aimed at combating unsanitary conditions within the city of Kisangani. A video depicting police officers assaulting the magistrate subsequently went viral across social media platforms, bringing the alleged violence policière procureur Congo to public attention.

The Conseil supérieur de la magistrature (CSM) in the Democratic Republic of Congo swiftly issued a condemnation of this aggression. In a statement dated September 7, 2026, the institution reacted to the widely circulated video, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The incident, involving the Ikobia Bahati agression police, has raised significant concerns regarding the conduct of law enforcement personnel and the safety of judicial officers.

The condemnation from the Conseil supérieur de la magistrature RDC was rooted in fundamental legal principles. The institution explicitly reminded all parties that magistrates, by virtue of their official functions, are entitled to robust protection from the state. This protection is considered paramount for ensuring the impartial administration of justice and maintaining public trust in the legal system. The CSM views such acts as a direct assault on the independence justice RDC and the broader rule of law.

In response to the incident, the CSM has called for a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the events surrounding the DRC CSM condamne agression procureur Kisangani. They demand that those responsible for the violence face appropriate sanctions. Furthermore, the body urged competent authorities across the nation to guarantee the security of all magistrates, reinforcing the critical importance of protection magistrats RDC. The resolution of this case is seen as a crucial indicator of the state's commitment to these foundational principles.

Following the alleged assault, police sources in Kisangani confirmed that a judicial inquiry has been initiated to investigate the matter. This investigation aims to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident involving the prosecutor. Significantly, several police officers implicated in the events have been apprehended and placed in garde à vue, including the officer reportedly responsible for issuing the order to attack the magistrate.

Despite these initial steps towards accountability, the police force had not yet issued a public statement regarding the events at the time the original report was published. The Conseil supérieur de la magistrature awaits the definitive establishment of responsibilities and expects appropriate legal follow-up to be taken in this matter. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by legal observers, as it reflects on the state's capacity to enforce accountability within its own ranks and protect its judicial officers, thereby influencing legal strategy and client advice regarding interactions with law enforcement.

This incident underscores the fragility of judicial independence in the DRC. Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the outcome of the investigation and the enforcement of sanctions, as it will indicate the state's commitment to protecting judicial officers and upholding the rule of law, potentially influencing legal strategy and client advice regarding interactions with law enforcement.

Source: Original reporting via Congolese sources