RDC: Fils Mukoko Arrêté Pour Incitation à la Violence sur Réseaux Sociaux

• Fils Mukoko, a UDPS cadre, was arrested in Kinshasa on October 22, 2026, for incitement to violence and hatred.
• The arrest followed a video he posted on social media calling for armed violence and the distribution of machetes against Western interests.
• Minister of Justice Guillaume Ngefa Atondoko confirmed the arrest and stated that incitement to violence is intolerable, regardless of political affiliation.
• Minister of Communication Patrick Muyaya indicated the case serves as a warning against using social media to spread hate or incite violence in the DRC.
• Mukoko has been handed over to the judiciary and remains in custody awaiting trial.

All individuals, irrespective of their political affiliations—including membership in the UDPS—must answer for their conduct before the law.

Fils Mukoko, an individual associated with the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party, which has since disassociated itself from his statements and clarified he holds no official function within the party, was taken into custody by the Congolese National Police. His arrest in Kinshasa stems from the dissemination of a video on social media platforms that contained overtly violent and threatening statements. The incident, which led to charges of incitement to violence and hatred, was officially confirmed on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

The specific content of the video in question involved calls for armed violence and the distribution of machetes, purportedly to counteract Western interests. Following the gravity of these declarations, the Minister of State for Justice, Guillaume Ngefa Atondoko, issued explicit instructions for Mukoko's apprehension. He has since been transferred to the judicial authorities to face legal proceedings.

The confirmation of Fils Mukoko's arrest came during a press briefing in Kinshasa, co-hosted by Minister of State for Justice Guillaume Ngefa Atondoko and Minister of Communication and Media Patrick Muyaya. During the briefing, Minister Ngefa Atondoko underscored the government's unwavering position against incitement to violence, declaring such actions intolerable for any responsible administration. He explicitly stated that social media platforms are not exempt from legal oversight, nor do they serve as forums for propagating hatred.

Minister Ngefa Atondoko further emphasized the principle of judicial accountability, asserting that all individuals, irrespective of their political affiliations—including membership in the UDPS—must answer for their conduct before the law. This declaration highlights the government's commitment to a non-partisan application of justice in cases involving online incitement to violence and hate speech, signaling increased enforcement in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This legal action against Fils Mukoko sends a clear and forceful message regarding the regulation of social networks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya, who also serves as the government's spokesperson, articulated that this judicial process is intended to serve as a stern warning and a precedent. It is aimed at deterring anyone who might consider using social media to spread messages of hatred, division, or to incite violence within the RDC.

The arrest and subsequent prosecution of a high-ranking political figure like Fils Mukoko for online content underscores the evolving landscape of freedom of expression in the RDC and its limits. It signals a heightened governmental resolve to combat the misuse of digital platforms for harmful purposes. Mukoko remains in the custody of law enforcement, awaiting the commencement of his trial before the competent courts, as the authorities continue to pursue judicial redress for the alleged incitement to violence and hatred.

Lawyers and compliance officers in the DRC should advise clients, particularly those in public or political roles, that the government is taking a firm and non-partisan stance against incitement to violence and hate speech on social media. This arrest signals increased enforcement and potential prosecution for online content, regardless of political affiliation, necessitating a review of communication policies and public statements.

Source: Original reporting via Actualite.cd