Former DR Congo Prime Minister Sentenced to Forced Labour Over Corruption

Augustin Matata Ponyo, the former prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been sentenced to ten years of forced labour following a corruption trial that uncovered the embezzlement of approximately $245 million in public funds. His accomplice, Deogratias Mutombo, the former governor of the central bank, was also convicted, receiving a five-year sentence. These decisions emerged from a case rooted in financial misconduct linked to a key agricultural initiative aimed at alleviating the country’s enduring food crisis.

Matata Ponyo served as the DRC’s prime minister from 2012 to 2016, previously earning accolades for his role as finance minister, especially from international bodies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, the court found him guilty of diverting funds intended for the Bukanga-Lonzo Agro-Industrial Park, which was envisioned as a major investment to support the farming sector and create jobs in a nation facing severe food insecurity affecting over 28 million citizens.

The legal process regarding these allegations has been ongoing for nearly four years, highlighted by reports from the DRC Inspectorate General of Finance. In light of these findings, both Matata and Mutombo have been barred from holding public office for a subsequent five years post their sentences. Matata, in particular, had previously contested President Felix Tshisekedi in the 2023 elections, only to withdraw his candidacy and maintain his innocence regarding the charges. Meanwhile, the case continues to evoke discussions about widespread corruption in the DRC, a country scarred by decades of conflict.