Didier Budimbu Ntubuanga, Minister of Hydrocarbons, was released Thursday evening after spending a night at the premises of the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) in Kinshasa. Very little information had leaked out about his hearings, which took place after the arrest of François Beya, Félix Tshisekedi’s special security adviser. Didier Budimbu Ntubuanga is the first member of the current government to be arrested and heard by the powerful ANR.
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi
Everything went quickly. After a meeting with his team on Wednesday around 3 p.m., he himself went to the office of ANR No. 1, Jean-Hervé Mbelu Biosha.
His relatives indicate that it was an invitation for a working session. He had therefore gone there without much concern, they specify. Until Thursday evening, the members of his cabinet had not been able to have access to him, his lawyers no longer have. It was not until noon on Thursday that his wife was allowed to see him.
Some of his relatives simply explain that it is not a common law offense, but rather a matter related to the internal security of the country. This is confirmed by security sources who state that he was questioned about his recent dating.
Questions were put to him on in particular his relations with a person of Israeli nationality who is being watched by the security services. This man’s name has not been released. And in this case, the private secretary of the minister had also been arrested and heard.
Close to Félix Tshisekedi’s family, Minister Didier Bidumbu Ntubuanga leads a political party allied with the presidential party, UDPS.