Miguel Kashal Katemb: ARSP Attestations Dispute Challenges Ted Beleshayi

• Miguel Kashal Katemb's communication cell disputes the number of ARSP attestations issued during his tenure.
• The former Director General's team refutes the current DG Ted Beleshayi's figure of 80 attestations.
• The controversy concerns attestations delivered by the Autorité de régulation de la sous-traitance dans le secteur privé between 2020 and 2025.
• This dispute raises questions about the accuracy of official records for Congo DR subcontracting regulation.
• The disagreement could impact the perceived validity of certifications obtained during the specified period.

A public disagreement over the number of attestations issued by the ARSP between 2020 and 2025 could introduce uncertainty regarding the validity and legitimacy of certifications obtained during that specific timeframe.

The communication cell representing Miguel Kashal Katemb, the former Director General of the Autorité de régulation de la sous-traitance dans le secteur privé (ARSP), has publicly challenged a figure put forth by the current Director General, Ted Beleshayi. This dispute centers on the precise number of attestations issued by the ARSP during a specific five-year period. The team associated with Mr. Katemb explicitly refutes the claim that only 80 attestations were delivered under his leadership.

This public disagreement highlights a significant ARSP attestations number controversy within the regulatory body responsible for subcontracting in the private sector of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The contention directly involves the legacy of Mr. Katemb's tenure, which spanned from November 2022 to June 2026, and the accuracy of official records concerning the agency's output during that time. The intervention by Miguel Kashal Katemb's communication cell underscores the gravity with which these figures are being perceived by the former leadership.

The Autorité de régulation de la sous-traitance dans le secteur privé, or ARSP, plays a crucial role in the economic landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Established to oversee and regulate subcontracting activities within the private sector, the ARSP is responsible for ensuring fair practices and compliance among businesses. Its mandate includes the issuance of attestations, which are essential certifications for companies operating as subcontractors in the Congo DR. These attestations serve as official recognition of a company's eligibility and adherence to regulatory standards, thereby facilitating legitimate business operations and fostering a structured subcontracting environment.

The integrity of the ARSP's attestation process is paramount for maintaining confidence in the Congo DR subcontracting regulation framework. Any discrepancy or dispute regarding the number of attestations issued can therefore have broader implications for the transparency and reliability of the regulatory body itself. The current Miguel Kashal Katemb ARSP attestations dispute brings this aspect into sharp focus, as it questions the official record-keeping and reporting practices during a significant period of the agency's operation.

The core of the ARSP attestations number controversy lies in the specific figure of 80 attestations. This number was reportedly advanced by Ted Beleshayi, the current head of the ARSP, as representing the total attestations issued between 2020 and 2025. However, Miguel Kashal Katemb's communication cell has vehemently rejected this statistic, indicating a fundamental disagreement over the historical data. The period in question, 2020 to 2025, partially overlaps with the duration when Mr. Katemb served as the Director General of the Autorité de régulation de la sous-traitance dans le secteur privé (from November 2022 to June 2026).

This direct challenge from the former DG's team against the current DG's figures suggests a deeper underlying tension or a significant discrepancy in the official records. The Ted Beleshayi ARSP attestations claim, now contested, places the spotlight on the administrative efficiency and data management practices of the ARSP during Mr. Katemb's leadership. The public nature of this refutation by Miguel Kashal Katemb's communication cell elevates the issue beyond a mere internal audit, making it a matter of public record and scrutiny regarding the regulatory body's past performance.

The ongoing Miguel Kashal Katemb ARSP attestations dispute carries significant weight for businesses and legal professionals involved in the Democratic Republic of Congo's subcontracting sector. A public disagreement over the number of attestations issued by the ARSP between 2020 and 2025 could introduce uncertainty regarding the validity and legitimacy of certifications obtained during that specific timeframe. This situation may prompt increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies and potential challenges to the compliance status of companies that received their attestations under Mr. Katemb's tenure.

For lawyers and compliance officers, this controversy signals a need for heightened awareness and potentially a review of existing compliance documents related to ARSP attestations from the 2020-2025 period. The integrity of the Congo DR subcontracting regulation framework relies on accurate record-keeping and undisputed official figures. Should the ARSP attestations number controversy escalate or remain unresolved, it could undermine confidence in the regulatory process and potentially lead to operational or legal complications for affected entities within the private sector.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the ongoing dispute regarding the number of ARSP attestations issued under Miguel Kashal Katemb, as it may signal increased scrutiny or potential challenges to the validity of certifications obtained during that period (2020-2025) in the DRC's subcontracting sector. This could necessitate a review of existing compliance documents.

Source: Original reporting via PMaki