Republic of the Congo: Arrests of advisors, particularly soldiers and ministers of the government of Denis Sassou-Nguesso, in connection with his election for a third term; names of the ministers and advisors arrested; reasons for their arrest, and treatment by the authorities of members of their family because of these arrests (January 2016-October 2016)

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Elections on 20 March 2016 in the Republic of the Congo

Presidential elections were held on 20 March 2016 in the Republic of the Congo, and Denis Sassou-Nguesso [leader of the Congolese Labour Party (Parti congolais du travail, PCT) (IFES [2016])] was reelected (AFP 27 Mar. 2016; IFES [2016]). According to some sources, the results of these elections were criticized by the Congolese opposition (AFP 24 Mar. 2016; RFI 27 Mar. 2016) and according to other sources, by the international community (RCI 10 May 2016; Reuters 19 Aug 2016). Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that Denis Sassou-Nguesso was accused of electoral fraud and that the opposition called on the population to challenge the results through peaceful change and civil disobedience (AFP 27 Mar. 2016). The country's authorities then proceeded to arrest various political opponents (AI 31 Mar. 2016; Le Monde 1 May 2016).

2. Arrests of Former Advisors, Soldiers and Ministers of Denis Sassou-Nguesso's Government in Connection with his Election for a Third Term

The following testimonies regarding the arrests of former advisors, ministers and soldiers were found by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response:

• Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko
  
  Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko [also called J3M or General Mokoko] is described by the AFP as a long-time ally of Denis Sassou-Nguesso (AFP 19 Mar. 2016). Sources state that he is a former military chief-of-state (RFI 16 Mar. 2016; Carter 17 Mar. 2016; APA 18 Aug 2016), while others report that he served as the president's advisor on peace and security issues (BBC 15 June 2016; Le Monde 22 Feb. 2016; AFP 19 Mar. 2016) and representative of the African Union in Central Africa (ibid.; Le Monde 22 Feb. 2016). He resigned from his position as advisor on 3 February 2016 (Le Monde 22 Feb. 2016; AFP 19 Mar. 2016). He announced that he was running as a candidate in the presidential elections (RFI 16 Mar. 2016; AFP 19 Mar. 2016; AP 19 Aug 2016) on 8 February 2016 (AFP 19 Mar. 2016). According to official results, he came third (AFP 27 Mar. 2016; APA 18 Aug 2016; Reuters 19 Aug 2016). Following the elections, he challenged the results and asked the people to engage in civil disobedience (AFP 27 Mar. 2016; RFI 27 Mar. 2016). Sources report that he was then put under house arrest in his home in Brazzaville (RCI 10 May 2016; BBC 15 June 2016; Le Monde 22 June 2016). According to some sources, he was arrested on 14 June (BBC 15 June 2016; AFP 16 June 2016; Germany 20 June 2016, 3) and, according to other sources, on 16 or 18 June 2016, he was detained in the detention centre in Brazzaville (West Africa Newsletter 22 June 2016; APA 18 Aug 2016). It was in connection to the publication of a compromising video dating back about 10 years or more, in which he is seen discussing a coup, that he was put under investigation (AFP 19 Mar. 2016; BBC 15 June 2016). He was first charged with violating state security and illegal possession of war arms and ammunition (Germany 20 June 2016; RCI 22 June 2016; Reuters 18 Aug 2016). On 17 August 2016, a third charge was added: incitement of public disorder (APA 18 Aug 2016; Reuters 19 Aug 2016; AP 19 Aug 2016). Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko was still detained on 22 September 2016 (Le Monde 26 Sept. 2016; La Voix de l'Amérique with AFP 22 Sept. 2016) and he had not yet been tried (ibid.).
  
  
• Marcel Pika [M'Pika]
  
  He is a retired colonel, former director of training and military schools and former chief of land staff under Denis Sassou-Nguesso (Icibrazza 1 Apr. 2016; Ziana TV 1 Apr. 2016). He is suspected of being close to Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko (ibid.; Icibrazza 1 Apr. 2016; RFI 17 Sept. 2016). He was arrested on 31 March 2016 (ACP 9 Apr. 2016; Ziana TV 1 Apr. 2016) at his home in Brazzaville (ibid.). According to Ziana TV, the television channel of the Congolese diaspora (ibid. n.d.), he was arrested because he was close to Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko (ibid. 1 Apr. 2016), and according to Radio France internationale (RFI) he was charged with [translation] "incitement of public disorder" (RFI 17 Sept. 2016). He was still detained in September 2016 and no evidence had been brought against him, according to his lawyer (ibid.).
  
  
• André Okombi Salissa
  
  Former minister of the Nguesso government, he left his position [in July 2015 (RFI 16 Mar. 2016)] when the president proposed changing the constitution (RFI 16 Mar. 2016; Carter 17 Mar. 2016). He then became president of the Initiative for Democracy in Congo (Initiative pour la démocratie du Congo, IDC) (RFI 16 Mar. 2016; Icibrazza 30 Jan. 2016), part of the platform Initiative for Democracy in Congo—Republican Front for the Respect of Constitutional Order and Democratic Change (Initiative pour la démocratie du Congo-Front républicain pour le respect de l'ordre constitutionnel et l'alternance démocratique, IDC-FROCAD), which reunites opposition parties across the country (RFI 8 Apr. 2016). He was a candidate in the presidential elections of March 2016 (Le Monde 1 May 2016; Journal de Brazza 22 June 2016). Le Monde reports that he was put under house arrest in October 2015, at the time of the referendum on the proposal to change the constitution (Le Monde 22 Feb. 2016). He was put under house arrest again during the months that followed the elections (ACP 9 Apr. 2016; Le Monde 1 May 2016). Members of his team were arrested and detained (AI 31 Mar. 2016). Information on charges filed against André Okombi Salissa could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
  
  
• Raymond Ebonga
  
  According to an article published by Charles Zacharie Bowao, coordinator of IDC-FROCAD, in the West African news daily Matin Libre, after serving as a member of government, Raymond Ebonga became the assistant campaign leader for presidential candidate André Okombi Salissa (Bowao 27 Mar. 2016). Sources report that he was arrested (Opinion internationale 4 Apr. 2016; AI 31 Mar. 2016) in March 2016 (ibid.). Charles Zacharie Bowao stated that he was in possession of records containing presidential election results at the time of his arrest (Bowao 27 Mar. 2016). According to Amnesty International (AI), he was detained at the General Directorate for the Surveillance of the Territory (Direction générale de la sûreté [ou surveillance] du territoire, DGST) (AI 31 Mar. 2016). Information on charges that were made against him could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
  
  
• Jacques Banangandzala
  
  He is a former president of the High Council for Freedom of Communication (Conseil supérieur de la liberté de communication) under Denis Sassou-Nguesso (RFI 13 Sept. 2016; Agence d'information d'Afrique centrale 8 Aug 2015). He became the advisor and/or leader for André Okombi Salissa's campaign (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville 1 Mar. 2016; RFI 13 Sept. 2016). On 28 March 2016, he was arrested and charged with incitement of public disorder (ibid.). He was still detained as of September 2016 (RFI 17 Sept. 2016).
  
  
• Charles Zacharie Bowao
  
  Charles Zacharie Bowao is a former minister of defence for Denis Sassou-Nguesso (Icibrazza 9 Apr. 2016; Le Monde 17 déc. 2015; Charleszachariebowao n.d.). His personal website also indicates that he was the Minister of Solidarity and Humanitarian Action (ibid.). He resigned from the PCT political office following the announcement of the referendum on the constitution in September 2015 (ibid.; Bowao 25 Sept. 2015; Le Monde 17 Dec. 2015). On his personal site, he describes himself as a founding member of IDC (Charleszachariebowao n.d.); other sources present him as the president or a leader of IDC-FROCAD (Le Monde 17 Dec. 2015; RFI 8 Apr. 2016). Some sources report that an arrest warrant was issued against him when he reported, on 8 April 2016, the bombings in the Pool region as an attempt to deflect after the reelection of Denis Sassou-Nguesso (Icibrazza 9 Apr. 2016; Œil d'Afrique 9 Apr. 2016). According to West Africa Newsletter, a publication on political and economic news in West Africa (Africa Intelligence n.d.), he is accused of having established, with Mokoko, ties to foreign elements to destabilize the Congo (West Africa Newsletter 22 June 2016). Corroborating information or information indicating whether the authorities did in fact arrest him could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. Arrest of Individuals Tied to Former Advisors, Soldiers and Ministers of Denis Sassou-Nguesso in Relation to his Election for a Third Term

The following information on the arrest of individuals tied to former collaborators of Mr. Sassou-Nguesso was found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate:

• Jean Ngouabi [N'Gouabi] Akondjo [Akondjot, Akondzo]
  
  He was one of Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko's campaign leaders (AFP 27 Mar. 2016; Bowao 27 Mar. 2016). He was arrested on 24 March 2016 (AFP 27 Mar. 2016). According to RFI, at the time of his arrest, he had in his possession election results establishing that Denis Sassou-Nguesso was not winning the elections in the north (RFI 13 Sept. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that he was charged with [translation] "initiating an insurectional movement" (AFP 27 Mar. 2016). He was then detained at the DGST, in Brazzaville (AFP 27 Mar. 2016; AI 31 Mar. 2016). According to RFI, he reported Anatole Limbogo-Ngoka and other prople during an interrogation, which allegedly led to other arrests (RFI 27 Mar. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. He was still detained as of September 2016 (RFI 13 Sept. 2016).
  
  
• Anatole Limbongo [Limongo, Limbogo] Ngoka [N'Goka]
  
  Anatole Limbongo Ngoka was a coordinator for Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko's electoral campaign (RFI 27 Mar. 2016; Bowao 27 Mar. 2016; AFP 27 Mar. 2016). He was arrested [on 27 Mar. 2016 (AFP 27 Mar. 2016; RFI 27 Mar. 2016)] at his home in Brazzaville and detained at DGST (AFP 27 Mar. 2016; AI 31 Mar. 2016). He was arrested, according to police, following reports by Jean Ngouabi, of [translation] "violating state security" (RFI 27 Mar. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. He was still detained in September 2016 (RFI 13 Sept. 2016).
  
  
• Christine Moyen
  
  According to Charles Zacharie Bowao, she was responsible for logistics for candidate Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko (Bowao 27 Mar. 2016). She was arrested (AI 31 Mar. 2016; Opinion internationale 4 Apr. 2016) and detained at the DGST (AI 31 Mar. 2016). Information on the reasons for her arrest could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
  
  
• Dieudonné Dird [Dhird]
  
  He was the campaign leader for Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko, in Ouesso (RFI 29 Mar. 2016). He was arrested on 28 March 2016 (ibid.). He was detained at the DGST (AI 31 Mar. 2016). According to those close to him, he was taken in for questioning after protesting in the street with a megaphone during demonstrations against Mr. Mokoko (RFI 29 Mar. 2016). RFI adds that, according to the police, he was accused of "inciting the rebellion" (RFI 1 Apr. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
  
  
• René Serge Blanchard Oba
  
  According to RFI, he was the spokesperson for André Okombi Salissa's campaign (RFI 29 Mar. 2016); other sources describe him as one of his campaign leaders (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville 1 Mar. 2016; Africa info 31 Mar. 2016). He was arrested on 28 March 2016 (RFI 29 Mar. 2016). He was also detained at the DGST (AI 31 Mar. 2016). The reason for his arrest is unknown, according to RFI (RFI 29 Mar. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
  
  
• Kostellie Aboyo Issami
  
  She isdescribed as the Vice-President of the Women's Committee of the Convention for Action, Democracy and Development (Convention pour l'action, la démocratie et le développement, CADD) and a close collaborator of Okombi Salissa (Africa info 31 Mar. 2016). She was arrested [or abducted, according to Africa info (31 Mar. 2016)] on 30 or 31 March 2016 (Africa info 31 Mar. 2016; Opinion internationale 4 Apr. 2016). Information on the reasons for her arrest could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

4. Treatment of Family Members by the Authorities

Information on treatment of family members of individuals arrested by the authorities could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

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 for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Africa info. 31 March 2016. "Congo-Brazzaville : climat de terreur, arrestations et assssinats au menu." [Accessed 22 Sept. 2016]

Africa Intelligence. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 7 Oct. 2016]

Agence congolaise de presse (ACP). 9 April 2016. "'Il n'y a pas d'arrestations politiques au Congo', répond Brazzaville à Washington." (Factiva)

Agence d'information d'Afrique centrale. 8 August 2015. Josiane Mambou Loukoula. "Vie des partis : Jacques Banangandzala quitte le PCT." [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 16 June 2016. "Congo : le général Mokoko inculpé pour 'atteinte à la sûreté intérieure de l'État' (avocat)." (Factiva)

Agence d'information d'Afrique centrale. 27 March 2016. "Congo : arrestation d'un responsable de campagne d'un candidat d'opposition (proche)." [Accessed 16 Sept. 2016]

Agence d'information d'Afrique centrale. 24 March 2016. Marc Jourdier. "Congo : après 32 ans au pouvoir, le président Sassou Nguesso réélu dans la controverse." [Accessed 28 Sept. 2016]

Agence d'information d'Afrique centrale. 19 March 2016. "Congo: Police Summons for Congo Candidate Mokoko on Eve of Poll : sources." [Accessed 16 Sept. 2016]

Amnesty International (AI). 31 March 2016. "République du Congo. Il faut mettre fin à la vague croissante d'arrestations d'opposants suite aux élections présidentielles." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

Agence de presse africaine (APA). 18 August 2016. "Congo : mise en liberté provisoire de nouveau refusée pour le Gal. Jean M. Mokoko." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

Associated Press (AP). 19 August 2016. "Republic of Congo Opposition Leader Denied Bail: Lawyer." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

Bowao, Charles Zacharie. 27 March 2016. "'Je dénonce fermement les arrestations et intimidations par la police nationale et les forces spéciales pour faire taire les voix de l'opposition congolaise', Charles Zacharie BOWAO." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

Bowao, Charles Zacharie. 25 September 2015. "Le camarade Charles Zacharie Bowao démissionne du PCT." [Accessed 29 Sept. 2016]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 15 June 2016. "Congo : le général Mokoko arrêté." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2016]

Carter, Brett L. 17 March 2016. "President Sassou Nguesso Prepares for Final Stage of His Constitutional Coup - Elections in the Republic of Congo." African Arguments. [Accessed 23 Sept. 2016]

Charleszachariebowao. N.d. "Biographie." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

Les Dépêches de Brazzaville. 1 March 2016. "Présidentielles 2016 - L'IDC à pied d'œuvre pour la campagne." (Factiva)

Germany. 20 June 2016. Federal Office for Migration and Asylum. Information Centre Asylum and Migration Briefing Notes. [Accessed 27 Sept. 2016]

Icibrazza.com. 9 April 2016. "Congo : Le procureur ordonne l'arrestation de Zacharie Bowao pour ses propos tenus sur RFI." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

Icibrazza.com. 1 April 2016. "Congo : Marcel Pika, colonel à la retraite, arrêté à Pointe-Noire." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2016]

Icibrazza.com. 30 January 2016. Jean Jacques Koubemba. "Congo : André Okombi Salissa, candidat à l'élection présidentielle du 20 mars 2016." [Accessed 28 Sept. 2016]

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). [2016]. "Election Profile: Republic of the Congo." Election Guide. (Results of presidential elections of 20 March 2016). [Accessed 28 Sept. 2016]

Journal de Brazza. 22 June 2016. "Certains observateurs affirment même que ce climat de tension ne se limite pas aux hommes politiques, mais affecte aussi des artistes et des militants de la société civile." (Factiva)

Le Monde. 26 September 2016. Joan Tilouine. "L'ordre règne à Brazzaville : Le président est au palais, l'opposant en prison." [Accessed 4 Oct. 2016]

Le Monde. 22 June 2016. Christophe Châtelot. "Congo-Brazzaville : le général Mokoko sous les verrous." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

Le Monde. 1 May 2016. Christophe Châtelot. "Répression à huis clos au Congo-Brazzaville." (Factiva)

Le Monde. 22 February 2016. "Congo : pouvoir et opposition s'essayent à la guerre de l'information." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

Le Monde. 17 December 2015. Entretien de Charles Zacharie Bowao par Joan Tilouine. "Congo-Brazzaville : 'Je crains que le pouvoir ne soit débordé par une insurrection'." [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

Œil d'Afrique. 9 April 2016. "Congo : Le procureur ordonne l'arrestation de l'opposant Zacharie Bowao." [Accessed 29 Sept. 2016]

Opinion internationale. 4 April 2016. Jean-Claude Miangouayila. "Un régime à la dérive." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

Radio Canada international (RCI). 22 June 2016. Didier Oti. "La sonnette d'alarme des Congolais de Brazzaville au Canada." [Accessed 22 June 2016]

Radio Canada international (RCI). 10 May 2016. Didier Oti. "Des Canado-Congolais s'inquiètent des dérives du régime de Sassou Nguesso." [Accessed 10 May 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 17 September 2016. "Congo-Brazzaville : des arrestations d'opposants discutées cette semaine à Genève." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 13 September 2016. Christophe Boisbouvier. "Maurice Massengo-Tiassé : des 'prisonniers politiques' au Congo-Brazzaville." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 8 April 2016. "Congo-Brazza : les bombardements dans le Pook, une 'diversion', selon l'opposition." [Accessed 29 Sept. 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 1 April 2016. "Congo-Brazzaville : Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas a déposé son recours." [Accessed 27 Sept. 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 29 March 2016. "Congo-Brazzaville : nouvelles arrestations dans les rangs de l'opposition." [Accessed 29 Mar. 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 27 March 2016. "Congo-Brazza : arrestation du coordinateur de campagne du général Mokoko." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 6 March 2016. "Présidentielle au Congo : Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko/André Okombi Salissa." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

Reuters. 19 August 2016. "Congo Opposition Leader Denied Bail." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

La Voix de l'Amérique avec l'Agence France-Presse (AFP). 22 September 2016. "L'opposition congolaise déplore 'l'indifférence' face à la répression' au Congo-Brazzaville." [Accessed 4 Oct. 2016]

West Africa Newsletter. 22 June 2016. "Sassou, Mokoko and the Insurrection Plotters." (Factiva)

Ziana TV. 1 April 2016. "Alerte Pointe-Noire. Arrestation du colonel Marcel PIKA." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2016]

Ziana TV. N.d. Home page. [Accessed 7 Oct. 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Professor of international relations, University of Southern California; Professor of political sciences, Florida International University; Professor of sociology, École des Hautes-études en sciences sociales.

Internet sites, including: ecoi.net; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; Irinnews.org; United Nations – Refworld; United States – Department of State.