Democratic Republic of Congo: Soldiers Severely Beat Marie-Louise Malou Mbela, Arrest The Journalist

he Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the unlawful physical assault and arrest, demands swift accountability for the officers responsible A group of no fewer than 12 soldiers belonging to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) apprehended and subjected Marie-Louise Malou Mbela, a journalist working for the state-owned Radio Télévision Nationale Congolaise (RTNC), to physical assault, including punches and belt lashes. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is shocked by the violence and brutal censorship tactics toward journalists. We demand the perpetrators face appropriate consequences for their misconduct, ensuring a clear message that attacks against journalists will not be tolerated. Marie-Louise Malou Mbela, a journalist working for state-owned RTNC, was beaten and arrested by members of FARDCs Armed Forces on Wednesday, June 28. The incident occurred in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, while she was reporting on a land dispute. Mbela had just concluded an interview with a resident — who revealed soldiers acting under the directives of the Minister of Urban Planning and Habitat forcibly expelled him from his residence — when the assault occurred. Libération de 3 journalistes brutalement interpellés par les militaires. Jeef Ngoy de @radiookapi et Jiresse Nkelani de RTNC disent avoir été "sérieusement torturés". Ils ont été libérés "après plusieurs interventions dont celle de la @MONUSCO". Malou Mbela été libérée la veille. pic.twitter.com/bMzLQrxBzY