The Democratic Republic of Congo’s presidency has directed its staff to avoid “until further notice” any contact with the Belgian Embassy in Kinshasa as well as with its diplomatic and administrative personnel, according to a circular issued Friday.
The directive came a day after Belgian police raided houses of several relatives of President Felix Tshisekedi in Brussels.
The directive was signed by presidential chief of staff Anthony Nkinzo.
“All members of the Office of the President of the Republic, in the exercise of their duties, are requested to refrain, until further notice, from any direct or indirect contact” with the embassy as well as with its diplomatic and administrative staff, the circular reads in part.
The circular said if the need arises to contact Belgian officials, all communication must be authorised and passed through the Foreign Ministry.
While the circular did not specify the reasons for the decision, the chief of staff warned of appropriate administrative and punitive measures in case of breach of the directive.
But it was not clear whether the presidential chief of staff’s directive was connected to the search incident in Brussels.
