The Democratic Republic of Congo’s presidency has ordered its staff to suspend contact with the Belgian Embassy in Kinshasa, a day after Belgian police searched properties belonging to relatives of President Felix Tshisekedi in Brussels.
A circular issued on Friday and signed by presidential chief of staff Anthony Nkinzo instructed all presidential office personnel to refrain from direct or indirect contact with the embassy and its diplomatic and administrative staff until further notice.
Any necessary communication with Belgian officials must be authorised and routed through Congo’s Foreign Ministry, the circular said. Staff who breach the directive could face administrative and punitive measures.
The order followed searches linked to an investigation into alleged money laundering involving Congolese mining revenues. Belgian police raided homes belonging to several of Tshisekedi’s relatives on Thursday.
The judicial investigation was launched at the request of Belgium’s federal prosecutor following complaints filed by non-governmental organisations in July 2025.
