Eight provincial deputies from the Union sacrée de la Nation in Maniema province have requested the suspension of Governor Moïse Mussa Kabwankumbi due to his alleged involvement in a financial scandal. The deputies claim that 840 million Congolese francs were withdrawn from a provincial account at the Banque centrale du Congo and transferred to a private bank account without proper authorization. This transaction allegedly occurred under the governor's instructions.
The deputies' memorandum, dated November 2026, was addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Interior, Security, Decentralization, and Customary Affairs. Copies were also sent to the President of the Republic, the Presidents of both houses of Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Minister of State for Justice, and other high-ranking officials. The deputies argue that the governor's actions, if proven, would constitute a serious breach of public finance management rules.
According to the deputies, the alleged financial irregularities violate several key principles, including the separation of powers between the ordonnateur and the comptable public, the traceability of transactions, and the securitization of provincial funds. They believe that allowing the governor to remain in office poses significant risks, including the potential for further irregularities, erosion of public trust, and the destruction or alteration of accounting records.
The deputies are invoking the Constitution and the law on provincial autonomy, arguing that the governor's actions cannot be justified by the province's autonomous status. They are requesting that the Minister of the Interior examine the possibility of a suspension, pending further investigation by the Cour des comptes. The deputies emphasize that this would not be a premature sanction, but rather a precautionary measure to ensure accountability.
The allegations against Governor Kabwankumbi are based on reports from the Cour des comptes' investigation into a case of "gestion de fait." The deputies claim that the governor's instructions led to the unauthorized transfer of funds, which were then deposited into a private account. If confirmed, these actions would have serious implications for the governor's accountability and the management of public funds in the province.
The deputies' request for the governor's suspension has been met with silence from the governor's office. The development highlights tensions within the Union sacrée de la Nation, the ruling coalition, with some members calling for accountability and others potentially shielding the governor. The situation will likely be closely watched by various stakeholders, including the national government and the public.
The case has raised concerns about the management of public funds and the accountability of provincial officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The outcome of the Cour des comptes' investigation and the government's response to the deputies' request will be crucial in determining the governor's fate and the future of public finance management in Maniema province.
Key points
- The deputies claim that Governor Kabwankumbi's actions, if proven, would constitute a serious breach of public finance management rules.
