CPJ Demands Release of Detained DRC Journalist and Safety for Colleague in Hiding

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to immediately release journalist Stéphane Shisso, who has been detained since January 2026, and to ensure the safety of his colleague Guelord Shamba, who remains in hiding. Shisso, a camera operator for Nyota TV, was arrested by presidential guard soldiers after reporting on environmental erosion caused by mining activities in Kolwezi. He was transferred from Lubumbasi to Kinshasa and is currently held in Ndolo military prison without formal charges or court appearance, violating constitutional rights. Shamba fled into hiding due to fears of arrest or retaliation following the broadcast of their investigative report, which criticized local authorities' inaction. The report highlights the broader context of human rights abuses and forced evictions linked to cobalt mining in the region. Despite CPJ's appeals and media reports confirming Shisso's detention, the DRC government has not commented. The case underscores the risks faced by journalists investigating corporate and governmental misconduct in the resource-rich nation.