The military governor of North Kivu, Major General Evariste Kakule Somo, has alerted intelligence services about activities he describes as "clandestine and subversive" involving national deputy Crispin Mbindule Mitono, in connection with an armed group in Butembo. This statement was made during a press conference held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

According to information provided by the governor, events took place in early May where Mbindule Mitono allegedly spoke successively five times. He reportedly delivered speeches alongside the chief of staff of the Onppd-FCC coalition, which holds significant influence within the Provincial Security Council (CPS) of Butembo.

The governor also specified that these activities were reserved for members of the political party Union sacrée, which supports the actions of President Félix Tshisekedi. Consequently, he has requested that national military and civilian intelligence forces investigate these events to clarify the situation.

In his statements, Evariste Kakule Somo did not rule out the possibility that Crispin Mbindule was present at a recent meeting with the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of veterans in a district located between Kambala and Buleusa. This meeting raises questions about the potential involvement of the deputy in illegal or subversive activities.

Crispin Mbindule has responded to these accusations by denouncing a political intimidation attempt orchestrated by the military governor. He stated that these allegations aim to silence those who support constitutional revision and seek to promote peaceful change in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Tensions between military authorities and civilian elected officials are not new in the region. In our columns last March, we reported that other deputies from North Kivu had expressed concerns regarding the increasing insecurity and the rise of armed groups in the area. The current situation appears to fit within this broader context of power struggles and ongoing instability.

As military authorities call for a thorough investigation, the local population remains concerned about the ramifications of these accusations on security and peace in North Kivu. The coming weeks could be decisive in determining whether these allegations will lead to judicial actions or if they will merely be another episode in an already complex political saga.