Belgium Condemns Arrest of Ramazani Shadary, Calls for Political De-escalation in the DRC

Brussels, December 18, 2025 - Belgium has expressed strong disapproval over the arrest of Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, Permanent Secretary of the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) and former Minister of the Interior of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Shadary was arrested on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, an action that Belgium says does not contribute to easing political tensions or supporting peace efforts, particularly in the eastern part of the country.

In a statement released on Thursday, December 18, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot urged the Congolese authorities to take concrete steps to reduce political tensions and encourage dialogue, in line with the Constitution and republican principles.

Belgium emphasized that political de-escalation is essential to allow Congolese political actors to honor international commitments, engage in meaningful dialogue, and contribute to the reforms necessary for stability, governance, and lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.