Political Opponent Nathanaël Onokomba Appears Before High Military Court

Kinshasa DRC, January 21, 2026 - Following his transfer to Ndolo Military Prison, young political activist Nathanaël Onokomba appeared before a magistrate of the High Military Court of Kinshasa/Gombe on Wednesday. According to his lawyer, Godefroid Mwanabwato, the hearing marked the first time Onokomba was formally questioned by the court after his detention. “We assisted our client this morning. He was finally brought before a magistrate of the High Military Court of Kinshasa/Gombe and questioned in the presence of his lawyers,” Mwanabwato said. The lawyer emphasized irregularities surrounding his arrest, calling for the annulment of official reports Onokomba was allegedly forced to sign under pressure and alleged torture at the National Cyber Defense Council. The hearing primarily focused on Onokomba’s opinions expressed in public media, particularly a tweet that paraphrased the Washington Agreement. Onokomba clarified that the tweet reflected a satirical interpretation rather than a personal statement. He also requested provisional release, with his lawyers arguing that he poses no flight risk and that the charges against him relate solely to his exercise of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms as an unarmed civilian. “There is no flight risk, and even the charges against him, an unarmed civilian, stem from his individual and personal opinions, in the exercise of the rights and freedoms guaranteed to him by the Constitution,” declared Judge Mwanabwato. The case underscores growing concerns about the treatment of political opponents and freedom of expression in the DRC, particularly amid ongoing tensions surrounding the implementation of international agreements.

Faits rapportés

Kinshasa DRC, January 21, 2026 - Following his transfer to Ndolo Military Prison, young political activist Nathanaël Onokomba appeared before a magistrate of the High Military Court of Kinshasa/Gombe on Wednesday. According to his lawyer, Godefroid Mwanabwato, the hearing marked the first time Onokomba was formally questioned by the court after his detention. “We assisted our client this morning. He was finally brought before a magistrate of the High Military Court of Kinshasa/Gombe and questioned in the presence of his lawyers,” Mwanabwato said. The lawyer emphasized irregularities surrounding his arrest, calling for the annulment of official reports Onokomba was allegedly forced to sign under pressure and alleged torture at the National Cyber Defense Council. The hearing primarily focused on Onokomba’s opinions expressed in public media, particularly a tweet that paraphrased the Washington Agreement. Onokomba clarified that the tweet reflected a satirical interpretation rather than a personal statement. He also requested provisional release, with his lawyers arguing that he poses no flight risk and that the charges against him relate solely to his exercise of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms as an unarmed civilian. “There is no flight risk, and even the charges against him, an unarmed civilian, stem from his individual and personal opinions, in the exercise of the rights and freedoms guaranteed to him by the Constitution,” declared Judge Mwanabwato. The case underscores growing concerns about the treatment of political opponents and freedom of expression in the DRC, particularly amid ongoing tensions surrounding the implementation of international agreements.