Democratic Republic of the Congo: Information on the treatment of former supporters of the Mobutu regime, on the property seized by the current government and, where applicable, on the return of such property to its owners
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RDC28505.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Information on the treatment of former supporters of the Mobutu regime, on the property seized by the current government and, where applicable, on the return of such property to its owners, 1 January 1998, RDC28505.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aaf40.html [accessed 3 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In its 15 December 1997 issue, the weekly Jeune Afrique estimates at 300 the number of former Zairian military personnel and at 38 the number of officials of the Mobutu regime who were being held in the old Makala prison, now renamed the Centre pénitentiaire et de rééducation de Kinshasa (6). The same information source reports that an institution known as the Office des biens mal acquis is seizing, expropriating and redistributing villas and vehicles fraudulently acquired by Mobutist officials and their friends (15 Dec. 1997, 8).
A document issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), entitled Guidelines for Refugees and Asylum Seekers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, describes the present situation in that country of certain categories of persons, including former collaborators and supporters of the regime of former president Mobutu. This document is available in all Regional Documentation Centres.
Some sources report, however, that President Kabila made his ministers return property that was illegally seized when the troops of the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo/Zaire [AFDL] assumed power, before the oath-taking ceremonies (IRIN, 8 Jan. 1998; Reuters, 7 Jan. 1998). The same sources report that at least 10 ministers were compelled to vacate illegally occupied houses. Other ministers were made to return confiscated automobiles at the same time (ibid.).
Contacted in Kinshasa by telephone on 20 January 1998, a representative of the Zairian Association for the Defence of Human Rights confirmed that the ministers concerned had indeed returned the movable and unmovable property to its owners. He added, however, that other goods and properties seized from individuals by members of the AFDL had not yet been returned to the legal owners.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
.Jeune Afrique [Paris]. 9-15 December 1997. No. 1927. François Soudain. "Exclusif Congo-RDC : l'épuration".
Reuters. 7 January 1998. "Kabila's New Cabinet Sworn In" [Internet]:
UN DHA Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN). 8 January 1998. "Democratic Republic of Congo: Cabinet Sworn In". [Internet]:
Zairian Association for the Defence of Human Rights (AZADHO). 20 January 1998. Telephone interiew with a representative
Attachments
Jeune Afrique [Paris]. 9-15 December 1997. No. 1927. François Soudain. "Exclusif Congo-RDC : l'épuration".
Reuters. 7 January 1998. "Kabila's New Cabinet Sworn In" [Internet]:
UN DHA Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN). 8 January 1998. "Democratic Republic of Congo: Cabinet Sworn In". [Internet]:< http://www.reliefweb.int> [Accessed on 20 Jan. 1998]
