DRC security forces face criticism as activist arrested and barrier abuses reported in eastern provinces

Civil society activist Clovis Mutsuva was detained in Beni, North Kivu, after publicly criticizing the state of siege imposed in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Authorities cited accusations of "apology or propaganda harming the nation's fundamental interests" and "spreading false rumors". Human rights groups and colleagues denounced the arrest as a harsh crackdown on dissent and called for respect of freedom of expression and fair trial guarantees.

In Haut‑Uélé, UDPS/Watsa federal president Georges Musakindrayi Budulungwe alleged systematic harassment and extortion at several road‑control barriers in the Watsa territory. He claimed personnel from the armed forces, migration directorate, national intelligence agency and traffic police were involved in demanding irregular payments from motorists and misusing their authority. Budulungwe urged provincial authorities to intervene and restore the security forces' primary mission of protecting the population.