Belgian police have raided properties linked to relatives and associates of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering involving mining revenues. The searches took place in Brussels and surrounding areas, including Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant, on 14 October 2026. The investigation centres on allegations that funds from the misappropriation of Congolese mining resources were laundered through individuals connected to the president.
The investigation followed complaints filed in 2025 by Congolese non-governmental organisations and former directors of state-owned mining company Gécamines. The complainants allege that mining resources in the DRC’s Haut-Katanga and Lualaba provinces were unlawfully exploited, depriving the country and local communities of revenue. The case has drawn attention to the management of the DRC’s mineral wealth, which includes substantial reserves of copper, cobalt and other strategic resources.
Nine relatives and associates of Tshisekedi are reportedly under investigation, with reports indicating that they hold Belgian nationality. Those named in the complaints include members of the president’s family. However, Belgian authorities have not publicly provided full details of the individuals targeted in the searches. The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office has also declined to disclose further information, citing the confidentiality of the investigation and the presumption of innocence.
The allegations have placed renewed scrutiny on the DRC’s mining sector, which remains central to the country’s economy and efforts to attract foreign investment. Despite its mineral resources, the sector has faced longstanding concerns over corruption, revenue management and the distribution of wealth from mining operations. The investigation comes as Tshisekedi’s government also faces security challenges in eastern Congo and criticism from political opponents.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against those being investigated have not been established in court. The reported raids concern relatives and associates of the president; they do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing by Tshisekedi. The case could further draw attention to transparency and accountability in the DRC’s mining industry as Belgian authorities continue their inquiries.
