Congo - May 2025

On 11 May, Lassy Mbouity, the leader of the opposition party, The Socialists (Les Socialistes) and declared candidate for the 2026 presidential election, was kidnapped from his home by armed men, before being discovered nine days later, in a critical condition and showing signs of torture. He had also reportedly survived an assassination attempt days before his abduction. The Socialists blamed the government for the kidnapping, alleging that it had employed similar tactics against political opponents in the past and that Mbouity had previously been the subject of state harassment. As of 22 May, the government had not publicly responded to the accusations against it. The development has prompted concern from human rights monitors about the security of members of the political opposition in the lead up to the presidential election.

Sources: Africanews, Agence d'Information d'Afrique Centrale - Congo, Mbote, La Primeur