Eastern DRC Journalist Held in Rebel Custody for Over a Month

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Ricardo Olenga, who has been detained for more than a month by rebel groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

According to local reports and two journalists who spoke to CPJ on condition of anonymity for safety reasons, intelligence agents affiliated with the M23 and Congo River Alliance (AFC) detained Olenga on September 19, 2025, in the city of Goma, North Kivu Province. Olenga, a reporter for the privately owned Radio Kako FM, was arrested for sharing a video that highlighted alleged human rights abuses committed by the two groups. He has since been accused of “spreading false news.”

On October 23, Olenga was transferred to Munzenze Central Prison in Goma, according to the same sources.

The M23, which operates under the AFC umbrella, has been engaged in armed conflict with the Congolese government for more than a decade. In early 2025, the group expanded its control over parts of eastern DRC, including Goma.

“The rebel authorities controlling Goma must immediately release journalist Ricardo Olenga and allow journalists to operate freely,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa Program Director. “Eastern DRC continues to be a dangerous zone for journalists, and all parties involved in the conflict must respect press freedom.”

The video shared by Olenga features a mother discussing the daily hardships faced by Goma residents, including forced child recruitment and the imprisonment of her son, who was accused of belonging to Wazalendo, a pro-government militia.

Despite a ceasefire monitoring agreement signed on October 14 between the Congolese government and the M23/AFC, mediated by Qatar, fighting reportedly continues across North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

CPJ said its messages to M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma in late October went unanswered.

About CPJ:
The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide and defends the rights of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.

Source: modernghana

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