National Assembly: Motion De Défiance Against Muhindo Nzangi Over PEJAB Détournement

• National Deputy Hermione Bolumbe Bakando filed a motion of no confidence against Minister Muhindo Nzangi Butondo on October 23.
• Minister Nzangi is accused of allegedly embezzling $57 million USD intended for the PEJAB project.
• The PEJAB project, aimed at youth entrepreneurship in agriculture, is funded by the African Development Bank.
• The motion followed parliamentary questioning where the deputy found the minister's explanations on fund management unsatisfactory.
• Minister Nzangi claimed funds were available, disbursements ongoing, and over a thousand youth had already received financing.

The filing of this motion underscores significant concerns regarding the transparent management of public funds and the accountability of high-ranking officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

National Deputy Hermione Bolumbe Bakando initiated a motion of no confidence on Friday, October 23, targeting Muhindo Nzangi Butondo, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security. The representative for Mont-Amba in Kinshasa has formally accused Minister Nzangi of the alleged misappropriation of $57 million USD. These substantial funds were specifically allocated to the Youth Entrepreneurship Project in Agriculture and Agribusiness, known as PEJAB.

The funding for the PEJAB initiative originates from the African Development Bank (AfDB), highlighting the international dimension of these financial allegations. According to information provided by the minister himself to deputies, the $57 million USD in question is equivalent to 40 million AfDB Unit of Account. This serious accusation of détournement fonds publics RDC against a high-ranking official brings into sharp focus the scrutiny surrounding public finance management within the country.

The formal motion of no confidence followed closely on the heels of an intense parliamentary session held two days prior, on Wednesday, October 21. During this session, Deputy Bakando had posed an oral question with debate to Minister Nzangi in the National Assembly, seeking detailed clarifications regarding the execution and financial oversight of the PEJAB. Her inquiries specifically focused on the project's progress towards its December 2025 deadline, the actual number of new businesses established, the precise count of young individuals who had received financial support, and the overall utilization of the resources provided by the AfDB.

Minister Nzangi, in his defense before the deputies, maintained that the allocated funds remained available and were being progressively disbursed to young agricultural entrepreneurs. He explicitly stated, "The funds are there. Young people are presenting their business plans and they are being progressively financed by the project." Furthermore, the minister asserted that more than a thousand young people had already benefited from financial assistance under the program. However, Deputy Bakando expressed dissatisfaction with these responses, deeming them insufficient to address her concerns, which ultimately led to her decision to file the motion.

The PEJAB project itself is designed to foster youth entrepreneurship within the agricultural and agribusiness sectors across the Democratic Republic of Congo, a critical area for national development. Allegations of ministre agriculture RDC corruption concerning such a vital program, especially one backed by international development funding like the PEJAB financement Banque Africaine Développement, carry significant weight. The filing of this motion underscores significant concerns regarding the transparent management of public funds and the accountability of high-ranking officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This development highlights the ongoing efforts by legislative bodies to ensure rigorous oversight of government spending and project implementation. The actions taken by Hermione Bolumbe Bakando Muhindo Nzangi reflect a broader demand for transparency and integrity in the handling of resources intended for public benefit. The outcome of this motion will be closely watched as it could set a precedent for how allegations of détournement PEJAB and other forms of financial misconduct are addressed at the highest levels of government.

Lawyers advising on public sector projects or international development funding in the DRC should note the heightened scrutiny on financial management and accountability. This motion signals increased political and legal risk for officials accused of misusing funds, potentially impacting project implementation and compliance requirements for all stakeholders involved in similar initiatives.

Source: Reporting based on initial press accounts.