DRC Journalist Detained for Mining Report Sparks International Outcry
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo — The arrest of journalist Stéphane Shisso and the subsequent disappearance of his colleague Guelord Shamba have drawn sharp criticism from international press freedom organizations. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is urging Congolese authorities to release Shisso immediately and ensure the safety of Shamba, who has been in hiding since January.
Shisso, a camera operator for Nyota TV, was arrested on January 6, 2024, by soldiers from the presidential guard. According to local journalists who spoke to CPJ anonymously, he was taken to Kimbembe military camp in Lubumbashi before being transferred to Kinshasa’s Ndolo military prison. More than four months later, Shisso has yet to face a court or be formally charged.
The arrest followed a report Shisso and Shamba produced for Nyota TV, owned by opposition leader Moïse Katumbi. The journalists investigated environmental damage and displacement caused by mining activities in Kolwezi, a city 300 kilometers northwest of Lubumbashi. The report included interviews with residents criticizing local authorities for failing to address the devastating effects of erosion. Rights groups say mining in Kolwezi, a global hub for cobalt extraction, has led to widespread environmental destruction and forced evictions.
Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa Director, condemned Shisso’s detention, calling it a “grave injustice.” She emphasized that Shisso’s prolonged imprisonment without due process violates Article 18 of the DRC Constitution, which mandates that detainees be informed of charges, allowed legal counsel, and brought before a judicial authority within 48 hours.
Quintal also expressed concern for Shamba, who went into hiding shortly after Shisso’s arrest. Three sources close to Shamba told CPJ they have not heard from him since late January and believe his disappearance is linked to the Kolwezi report. Tragically, both journalists were unable to attend their fathers’ funerals while dealing with the fallout of their reporting.
Local media reported in mid-April that Shisso remains imprisoned in Kinshasa, though government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya has not responded to CPJ’s requests for comment. The lack of transparency surrounding Shisso’s case has raised alarm among press freedom advocates, who fear it signals a broader crackdown on independent journalism in the DRC.
Kolwezi’s mining industry, critical for producing cobalt used in cell phones and electric vehicle batteries, has long been a source of controversy. Rights groups accuse mining companies of displacing communities and ignoring environmental regulations, while local authorities face criticism for failing to hold perpetrators accountable.
The arrest of Shisso and the disappearance of Shamba highlight the risks journalists face when reporting on sensitive issues in the DRC. CPJ and other organizations are calling for immediate action to ensure their safety and uphold press freedom in the country.
As the international community watches, the fate of these two journalists remains uncertain, underscoring the challenges of reporting in one of the world’s most resource-rich yet politically volatile regions.
— Reported by Nexio News
