Haut-Katanga Governor Jacques Kyabula Resigns Amid Governance Concerns

Lubumbashi, May 21, 2026 - Jacques Kyabula Katwe has officially resigned from his position as governor of Haut-Katanga province, submitting his resignation to President Félix Tshisekedi with immediate effect.

In his resignation letter dated May 21, 2026, the outgoing governor explained that his prolonged stay in Kinshasa for professional and institutional obligations had kept him away from the province during a particularly sensitive period marked by security and economic challenges.

According to Kyabula Katwe, his extended absence generated growing criticism and “legitimate questions” regarding the functioning of the provincial administration at a time when strong leadership was needed on the ground.

Invoking what he described as a “sense of republican responsibility,” the former governor said he considered it necessary to draw the political and administrative consequences of the situation in order to preserve institutional stability.

His resignation comes as Haut-Katanga, one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s most strategic mining provinces, faces increasing economic and security pressures requiring sustained provincial oversight.

Despite stepping down, Jacques Kyabula reaffirmed his loyalty to President Félix Tshisekedi and the ruling Sacred Union coalition, of which he remains a senior member.

In his message, he expressed continued support for the president’s vision of “stability, peace, and development” and stated that he remains available to serve the Republic in any capacity deemed appropriate by the Head of State.