On January 6, 2026, soldiers from the presidential guard arrested journalist Stéphane Shisso in the southeastern city of Lubumbashi, took him to Kimbembe military camp, and then to the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, 10 local journalists told CPJ in May 2026, on the condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal.
The journalists said that Shisso, a camera operator for Nyota TV, and another journalist Guelord Shamba had reported on erosion caused by mining in Kolwezi, about 300 kilometers northwest of Lubumbashi. The video, which was broadcast on Nyota TV and Mbengu TV, both of which are owned by opposition politician Moïse Katumbi, included interviews with residents denouncing local authorities’ failure to act.
Local media reported in mid-April that Shisso was being held in Kinshasa’s Ndolo military prison.
Article 18 of the DRC constitution requires that anyone who is arrested must be “immediately informed of the reasons,” has the right to contact their family or legal counsel, and cannot be held for more than 48 hours before being released or transferred to a “competent judicial authority.”
Three people close to Shamba told CPJ that he went into hiding, fearing attack or arrest, and they have not heard from him since late January. They believed that Shisso was arrested because of the duo’s report from Kolwezi.
Two of those people also told CPJ that Shamba and Shisso both recently lost their fathers and were unable to attend their funerals.
Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya did not answer CPJ’s calls to request comment.