The Democratic Republic of the Congo authorities have been urged to release journalist Ali Male, who was arrested on 8 December after publishing a report about an army colonel. Male, a reporter for the privately owned En Quete News site and Kinshasa‑based Kin24 TV, was taken into custody by plain‑clothes officers working for the public prosecutor at his home in the capital.
According to his wife, Arlette Kusa, and journalist Amen Dimwani, Male had received several phone threats from unknown individuals after the article’s publication on 5 October. The threats warned him that he would face severe consequences if he continued to report on the issue. The article alleged that an unnamed colonel had turned his family residence into a bar, causing a disturbance with loud music, and had ordered the arrest of two people who were mistreated in detention.
Male’s lawyer, Frida Mambenga, said the colonel sued Male for defamation, and the prosecutor requested 1.1 million francs (about $480) in bail. On 10 December, the prosecutor, Male, and the colonel met to discuss the case, but the journalist was not released.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on the authorities to free Male and to reform the country’s laws so journalists are not threatened or arrested over publication disputes. The incident highlights the challenges faced by reporters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where harassment and intimidation are common and restrictive laws allow authorities to detain journalists and stifle press freedom. The Communications Minister, Patrick Muyaya, did not respond to requests for comment. The case remains ongoing, and it is uncertain how the authorities will respond to the calls for Male’s release.
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