An investigation has revealed that authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are monitoring the phones of individuals suspected of opposing President Félix Tshisekedi’s government. The surveillance is reportedly conducted through a cybersecurity and digital security body known as the National Cybersecurity Council (CNC).
The CNC and Its Leadership
The CNC is an advisory body attached to the Office of President Félix Tshisekedi. It was established in August 2023 to oversee cybersecurity and digital security matters. The agency is headed by Jean-Claude Bukasa, an information technology expert educated at York University in Canada, and assisted by Lisette Kabanga Tshibwabwa, who is widely regarded as a close confidante of the Head of State.
Arrests and Claims of Secret Detention
According to a report published by Jeune Afrique on January 19, 2026, the CNC does not operate official detention centers. However, since its creation, the agency’s staff are alleged to have arrested thousands of people. Many of these individuals are reportedly held in secret locations, including hotels and other hard-to-trace facilities.
Human Rights Concerns and Daily Arrests
The human rights organization Justicia ASBL, based in Lubumbashi in Haut-Katanga Province, claims that the CNC arrests at least ten people every day across the country. The group says most arrests are linked to content posted on social media platforms. Critics argue that many detainees are never presented before a court, raising serious concerns over due process and the rule of law.
Advanced Surveillance and High-Profile Targets
Security sources report that the CNC works closely with the presidential guard, the police, and a specialized military unit during arrest operations. The agency is also said to have invested heavily in advanced technology that allows it to monitor social media users, including those on WhatsApp.
Among those reportedly under surveillance are senior leaders of the AFC/M23 movement, including its leader Corneille Nangaa, whose phone numbers are said to be constantly monitored. In contrast, the agency is reportedly struggling to track the phone numbers used by former President Joseph Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019.
The CNC is also accused of playing a key role in the arrest of senior officers in the Congolese army, including General Franck Ntumba, who is currently detained at Ndolo Military Prison after reportedly spending several months in secret detention. Only about 20 individuals accused of collaborating with AFC/M23 and Joseph Kabila have been tried and sentenced to death for treason.
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