In an official statement signed by its communications advisor, Michel Koyakpa Zuakondiri, the Ministry strongly condemns these allegations, which it describes as “false” and “unfounded,” and aimed at tarnishing the Minister’s image.
“Unfounded information has been circulating on social media recently,” the document laments, while reiterating that the authors and relayers of such accusations are held criminally liable.
The document specifies that the FFN, although under the supervision of the ministry, is a public institution with independent management. As such, its direct managers, including the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Rigobert Kuta Mwana-Kuta, and the Director General, Honoré Mulumba Kalala, have been suspended for mismanagement, on the instructions of the Prime Minister.
Faced with the wave of misinformation, the ministry denounces a “campaign of denigration, defamation, demonization, and misinformation” orchestrated by circles hostile to reform and good governance.
However, this clarification, far from easing tensions, has provoked strong reactions from the public and informed observers. Many see this as a clumsy attempt to exonerate themselves by pointing fingers at scapegoats who were not, in any way, involved in the initial accusations of embezzlement.
Indeed, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa’s January 13th correspondence to the Ministry of the Environment, which led to the precautionary suspension of the FFN officials, refers to an “unhealthy climate” within the public institution. It notes persistent tensions between the Chairman of the Board and the FFN’s CEO, but at no point mentions any embezzlement.
Therefore, the Minister of State’s attempt to pin the suspicions of embezzlement on these two officials appears, to many, to be a smokescreen. MINETAT Bazaiba should adopt a more responsible stance and provide well-founded clarifications, instead of diverting attention.
The issue of the misappropriation of funds intended for the nationwide reforestation campaign is a sensitive one, in a context where the government advocates transparency and good governance. The Billion Tree Program, a powerful symbol of the DRC’s environmental commitment, cannot suffer from financial irregularities without lastingly tarnishing the image of the institutions involved.
