Kongo Central: Papy Mantezolo resigns as president of the Provincial Assembly under pressure from a motion

Kinshasa, October 1, 2025 - The president of the Provincial Assembly of Kongo-Central, Papy Mantezolo, resigned on 6 October 2025, followed by his vice-president Joseph Nsalambi Ngabakita and rapporteur Victor Nsuami, after a motion of no confidence signed by the majority of deputies accusing them of mismanagement and embezzlement of public funds. The plenary session scheduled to examine the motion was marred by violence that left several elected officials and journalists injured.

Mantezolo, denouncing a failure to follow procedures, said he was stepping down to preserve peace and cohesion within the institution. The session, relocated to Matadi Town Hall, ended with the installation of a bureau d'âge (provisional bureau) headed by Jean N'landu Nsongo, responsible for overseeing the rest of the parliamentary process.