Kalev Mutond, the former administrator-general of the Democratic Republic of Congo's National Intelligence Agency (ANR), passed away on October 5 in Paris, France, at the age of 69. According to his close associates, Mutond had been in the French capital for nearly a year receiving medical care. The cause of his death has not been disclosed. During his tenure from 2011 to 2019, under the presidency of Joseph Kabila, Mutond emerged as a key figure in Congo's intelligence services.
Mutond's career was marked by controversy, with multiple complaints filed against him in the DRC, accusing him of arrests, torture, and kidnappings attributed to the ANR during his leadership. In response, Mutond had previously denied allegations of torture, assassinations, and poisonings, stating that the ANR was a victim of "political propaganda" aimed at tarnishing the agency's reputation. He claimed to be unaware of any instances of poisoning or murder attributable to the ANR during his tenure.
In 2021, Mutond granted an exclusive interview to Radio Okapi, one of his rare media appearances after leaving the ANR. He expressed frustration over the negative portrayal of the agency, suggesting that some actors sought to undermine the country's own service. Mutond's statements reflected his defensive stance against accusations of human rights abuses during his time at the ANR.
Following his departure from the ANR in 2019, Mutond faced sanctions from the United States and restrictive measures from the European Union. However, in June 2023, the EU removed him from its list of sanctions, citing decisions made by the EU Tribunal in March 2023. This decision was made in conjunction with the removal of Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, a senior member of Joseph Kabila's party.
The lifting of EU sanctions against Mutond and Shadary was attributed to the Tribunal's rulings, which apparently found insufficient grounds for their inclusion on the list. The EU emphasized that the sanctions regime concerning human rights violations and electoral process obstructions remained in effect, with restrictions still applying to 15 individuals.
Prior to his passing, Mutond had returned to the DRC in August 2022 after several months in exile. In August 2023, the prosecutor general near the Kinshasa-Gombe Court of Appeal announced the suspension of a search warrant against him, citing that the reasons for the warrant no longer existed.
Mutond's death marks the end of a complex and contentious chapter in the DRC's intelligence landscape. His legacy remains a subject of debate, with perspectives varying on his role and responsibilities during his time as ANR administrator-general.
Key points
- The former head of DR Congo's National Intelligence Agency, Kalev Mutond, died in Paris at the age of 69.
- Mutond faced accusations of human rights abuses during his tenure, which he consistently denied.
- The European Union lifted its sanctions against Mutond in June 2023, following Tribunal rulings.
