MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

B10‑0084/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

(2025/2510(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

–  having regard to Rule 150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure

1. whereas Jean-Jacques Wondo, a Belgian military expert of Congolese origin, moved to Kinshasa in February 2024 at the request of President Tshisekedi, who offered him a position with the Congolese intelligence agency ANR, to assist the intelligence services with reforms; whereas Jean-Jacques Wondo was arrested in the wake of the coup attempt that took place on 19 May 2024 in Kinshasa, being accused of being the mastermind of the coup attempt;

2. whereas on 13 September 2024 Jean-Jacques Wondo was sentenced to death in Kinshasa despite a huge lack of evidence against him; whereas Wongo’s health situation has deteriorated considerably during his stay in prison;

3. whereas in the wake of the failed coup 37 people in total, among which are 6 foreigners, were sentenced to death by the military court in Kinshasa; whereas the Belgian Foreign Minister has expressed “deep concern” over the verdict emphasising Belgium’s strong opposition to the death penalty and stressing that the right to defence must be respected; whereas the European Union has repeatedly condemned the lifting of moratorium on the death penalty in DRC;

4.  whereas the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights plans to undertake a mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo in July 2025;

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1. Strongly condemns the unjust imprisonment and death sentence of Jean-Jacques Wondo and the limited evidence presented during the trial, and suspects that he may be a victim of an internal vendetta within the Congolese intelligence services;

2. Demands the DRC authorities to release Jean-Jacques Wondo immediately and unconditionally, as well as all others detained who have been imprisoned and sentenced without factual evidence;

3. Denounces the degradation of the rule of law, human rights and basic democratic principles in DRC and urges President Tshisekedi to intervene;

4. Calls on the EU delegation in Kinshasa to closely monitor the unprecedented human rights abuses in DCR, to closely follow the case against Jean-Jacques Wondo and to visit him in prison;

5. Urges the Council to adopt sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against the Congolese court and officials in charge of the trial of Jean-Jacques Wondo;

6. Recalls the firm and unequivocal opposition of the European Union to the use of the death penalty at any time and in any circumstances;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government and President of DRC.