Denise Dusauchoy Mukendi, a social media influencer known for supporting the March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC) rebels was arrested in Tanzania. According to a statement issued by the DRC Ministry of Justice, Dusauchoy, who also holds a Belgian passport, was arrested in Dar es Salaam on August 30, 2026, and repatriated to Kinshasa on Monday.
The ministry said the arrest was carried out by Tanzanian authorities pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by the Congolese justice system. It added that the operation followed several judicial proceedings initiated as part of ongoing criminal investigations involving Dusauchoy and other individuals.
The statement further revealed that in October and November 2025, the Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation transmitted three international letters rogatory to Belgian judicial authorities concerning criminal cases opened before the Kinshasa/Gombe High Court Prosecutor’s Office. The cases involve Dusauchoy and other individuals, according to the statement.
The Ministry of Justice commended the cooperation between the competent authorities of the DRC and Tanzania, saying it enabled the execution of the judicial measure in accordance with applicable legal procedures. It also thanked the Tanzanian authorities for their cooperation and reaffirmed the DRC government’s commitment to strengthening judicial cooperation with its international partners in the fight against impunity and in pursuit of justice.
Dusauchoy has gained prominence on social media through videos posted on X, formerly Twitter, and TikTok, in which she has celebrated the advances of M23/AFC forces against the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and allied forces. She has also been posting videos while encouraging the rebels to advance towards Baraka, Fizi, Kalemie, Katanga and Kinshasa.
According to sources, Dusauchoy, who had been in Rwanda, was allegedly lured to Tanzania by her boyfriend, identified as Emrys Hans. The sources said the couple first travelled to Goma, North Kivu Province, before Hans reportedly asked Dusauchoy to accompany him to Zanzibar, where he allegedly intended to propose marriage.
However, upon reaching Dar es Salaam, Dusauchoy was arrested by Tanzanian authorities. Her arrest is not the first case involving an individual linked to the AFC being detained in Tanzania and subsequently transferred to Kinshasa.
On January 3, 2024, Éric Nkuba Shebandu, also known as Malembe, a political and strategic adviser to Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, coordinator of the AFC, was arrested in Tanzania by security services before being deported to Kinshasa.
Shebandu is currently in prison facing charges of treason. The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23/AFC, allegations that Kigali and the rebel movement have consistently denied.
M23/AFC says its armed struggle is aimed at addressing what it describes as corruption, xenophobia and discrimination within the Congolese leadership. Since early 2025, M23/AFC has intensified its offensive in eastern DRC, capturing several strategic towns and territories and raising concerns that the conflict could escalate into a wider regional crisis-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
