OCC Director General Suspended Over Alleged Fraudulent Import-Export System

Kinshasa, February 17, 2026 - The Director General of the Congolese Office of Control (OCC), Étienne Tshimanga Mutombo, has been suspended from his duties by the Minister of Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku, following allegations of serious mismanagement. The suspension, decreed on February 16, 2026, aims to protect the institution from further administrative and technical misconduct. Allegations against Mutombo include: Installing a parallel computer system for import and export control, reportedly facilitating the use of fraudulent Verification Certificates (VCs). Mismanagement of human and financial resources. Acts of insubordination. These irregularities are said to have caused significant financial losses, estimated at thousands of US dollars. A reform commission for the OCC has been established, with its composition and mission to be defined by a separate ministerial decree. The Deputy Director General, Christelle Muabilu, has been appointed interim director during the investigation. According to the Minister’s office, disciplinary proceedings against Mutombo had begun in late January, and his responses were deemed unsatisfactory, prompting the suspension. Additional administrative and extra-administrative measures will target any OCC agents complicit in the alleged acts.