Haut-Lomami Assembly President and Quaestor Dismissed Over Alleged Embezzlement

Kinshasa, October 20, 2025 - The President and Quaestor of the Haut-Lomami Provincial Assembly, Basile Muleba and Séraphin Mukaya, were dismissed on Friday, 24 October 2025, following a plenary session dominated by a motion of no confidence. The motion was initiated by MP Jean Tayari Kiswabantu.

Of the 20 deputies present, 17 voted to remove the president and 18 voted to dismiss the quaestor, who stand accused of embezzling salaries of deputies and staff for March 2024 and May 2025, according to a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Interior.

In addition to the financial allegations, deputies criticized President Muleba for incompetence and behaviour deemed abusive and threatening, highlighting broader concerns about governance within the provincial assembly.

The session was conducted with the approval of the Ministry of the Interior, but notably, both dismissed officials were absent and did not respond to the vote. Observers suggest the decision reflects mounting pressure on provincial authorities to improve transparency and accountability.