The political party People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), founded by former President Joseph Kabila who led the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2001 to 2019 is preparing to challenge the government after its activities were suspended.
The decision to suspend the PPRD was taken by the Kinshasa Supreme Court on October 27, 2025, following actions by the Interior Minister that the court deemed legitimate, as notified to PPRD Secretary-General Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary. According to the suspension order, the minister had on October 18 accused the PPRD of collaborating with the armed group AFC/M23, which controls large parts of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
Shadary responded that the party does not intend to comply with the suspension, arguing that it is unlawful and politically motivated. He claimed the current government under Félix Tshisekedi lacked legal legitimacy because it fails to respect the political freedom of opposition parties. “This suspension does not concern the PPRD. It is pure ‘fake news’. Meanwhile the dictatorship of Félix Tshisekedi is in full operation… Our activities will continue based on the law and the Constitution. Everything else will be conflict,” he declared.
The government of the DRC suspended the PPRD’s operations after Kabila was sentenced in September 2025 for alleged ties to AFC/M23 and for founding the coalition “Sauvons la RDC,” which aimed to address the country’s mounting crises.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
