New Front Emerges in DRC to Combat Arbitrary Arrests Amidst Ongoing Conflict

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo – February 20, 2026 – A new organization, the Front for the Fight against Abusive and Arbitrary Arrests (FLAAR), was launched on Friday, February 20, 2026, in Kinshasa. This initiative, comprised of civil society members, jurists, artists, lawyers, political actors, and engaged citizens, aims to address a growing concern over increasing reports of unlawful detentions in the DRC.

Rise in Arbitrary Arrests Fuels New Advocacy Group

FLAAR’s creation is justified by what its initiators describe as a surge in abusive and arbitrary arrests that are no longer isolated incidents but are becoming systemic. Concerns center around citizens being arrested without due process, held in inadequate conditions, and, in some cases, subjected to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

The organization emphasizes that Article 18 of the DRC Constitution mandates that any arrested individual be immediately informed of the reasons for their arrest and any accusations against them, in a language they understand, and of their rights. The constitution guarantees the right to immediately contact family or legal counsel.

FLAAR’s Core Missions

FLAAR has outlined several key missions:

• Publicly denounce arbitrary arrests.
• Provide legal assistance to victims.
• Document violations of fundamental rights.
• Mobilize national and international opinion.
• Defend human dignity.
• Seek redress through international judicial bodies when necessary.

A Stand for Democratic Principles

“The Democratic Republic of Congo, land of the fight for freedom embodied by Patrice Lumumba, cannot be assimilated to a space of fear and silence. Our nation has a democratic essence which cannot be confiscated by anyone,” stated honorary national deputy Ados Ndombasi during the organization’s official launch. “Our approach is neither insurrectional nor partisan. It is republican, legal and moral. We are not fighting individuals; we are fighting practices. We are fighting a system which has been established. We are not seeking chaos. We demand the rule of law. We do not sow division, we protect human dignity.”

FLAAR asserts that expressing political disagreement or criticizing public affairs are fundamental rights, not offenses, and that freedom of expression is inherent to every citizen.

Cases of Concern: Camisello and Onokomba

FLAAR has already highlighted several cases of alleged arbitrary arrest and abuse. These include:

• Parole Camisello: Kidnapped on December 6, 2025, from the National Pedagogical University (UPN) and taken to the National Cyber Defense Council (CNC). FLAAR alleges Camisello was tortured and forced to appear in a degrading video apologizing to the President of the Republic. He was presented to the Kinshasa-Gombe high court on December 26, 2025, sixteen days after his abduction, and faces potential transfer to Makala prison.
• Nathanaël Onokomba: Kidnapped on January 5, 2026, after a conference, and detained at Ndolo military prison. FLAAR reports Onokomba was similarly allegedly subjected to torture and humiliation in CNC facilities.

The Role of the National Cyber Defense Council (CNC)

FLAAR’s emergence coincides with a period of increased arrests carried out by state services, particularly the National Cyber Defense Council (CNC), established in 2023 and reporting directly to the President Félix Tshisekedi. The CNC has come under scrutiny for detaining senior officers of the Armed Forces of the DRC, socio-political actors, and opposition figures, including Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary and Aubin Minaku, whose current whereabouts remain uncertain.

Some observers have identified Lisette Kabanga Tshibwabwa, a senior executive at the CNC and close collaborator of CNC head Jean-Claude Bukasa, as a key figure in these arrests.

Context of Ongoing Conflict

This new front emerges against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC, fueled by the Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebellion. The situation underscores the complex interplay between security concerns and the protection of civil liberties within the country.