Journalist Serge Sindani Released After Ten Days in Detention

Kisangani March 13, 2026 - Journalist Serge Sindani, Director General of the media outlet kis24.info, was released on Friday after spending ten days in detention at the headquarters of the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) in Kisangani. Sindani had been abducted on March 3 in the city center by ANR agents and was held incommunicado until March 9, without access to his family or colleagues. The reasons for his arrest only became clear after his lawyer was granted access to him earlier this week. According to his attorney, Christian Kambi, the journalist was suspected of maintaining contacts with individuals linked to the M23 rebellion. However, relatives of Sindani stated that the allegations were based on his past membership in a WhatsApp group known as “Génération Naanga,” described as inactive since the departure of Corneille Nangaa to join the rebellion. Following his release, Sindani has begun preventive medical treatment, according to his entourage. This incident follows a previous arrest a few months earlier, during which he was detained for three days after allegedly publishing a photo showing military equipment near Kisangani International Airport. The case has once again raised concerns about press freedom and the conditions of detention in the country, particularly regarding access to legal representation and communication with relatives.