Congolese ruler Tshisekedi and his allies have made a habit of blaming Rwanda for nearly every crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But while they cry foul across the border, they loot their country dry.
Now the justice minister, Constant Mutamba, is at the heart of a massive embezzlement scandal.
The fellow is accused of stealing 35 million US dollars from the national treasury.
The matter now rests with the Congolese parliament, which must authorize judicial proceedings. The real test, however, is whether the Tshisekedi regime will allow justice to prevail when one of their own stands accused.
Mutamba’s appointment was never about competence or integrity. Tshisekedi selected him after he ran a presidential campaign filled with populist threats, including a promise to “arrest President Kagame if elected.” This reckless posturing seemed to appeal to Tshisekedi, who rewarded him with one of the most sensitive and powerful posts in government.
Since taking office, Mutamba has used anti-Rwanda rhetoric as a smokescreen while aiding Tshisekedi’s efforts to amend the Constitution. All the while, he helped himself to public funds, enriching his personal accounts as the Congolese people struggled to survive.
What makes this case even more obscene is the public image Mutamba tried to cultivate. He regularly declared war on corruption, calling for the death penalty for anyone caught embezzling state funds. Yet in private, he was the very embodiment of what he condemned.
This scandal sheds light on a deeper rot. Tshisekedi’s regime has become a den of plunder. The country’s mineral riches have been captured by a select few headed by the Tshisekedi family, while a loyal group of enablers keep the population distracted with nationalism, empty slogans, and a steady stream of anti-Rwanda narratives.
But Rwanda is not to blame for Congo’s misery. It is a convenient scapegoat used to cover the tracks of those looting the state from within.
If found guilty, Constant Mutamba should face the full force of the law, not only as a thief but as a symbol of the regime’s moral bankruptcy. And Tshisekedi must be held accountable for the role he played in appointing and protecting such a greedy man.
The Congolese people must see past the distractions. Their true enemy is not beyond the border, but within the government that claims to serve them.
ellenkampire