Kinshasa Restaurant Burned by Attackers Claiming It Belonged to Kabila

A restaurant in central Kinshasa was set on fire overnight after unidentified attackers reportedly claimed it belonged to former President Joseph Kabila, according to ACTUALITE.CD. The incident happened around 2:30 a.m. at Kanya restaurant, located at the intersection of Tombalbaye and Marché avenues in Gombe commune, near Kinshasa City Hall.

A security guard from a nearby building told the outlet that armed individuals arrived in a vehicle with a jerrycan of gasoline before setting the restaurant on fire. The blaze caused major material damage, destroying chairs, drinks and other equipment, although the kitchen was reportedly spared.

Authorities had not issued an official statement at the time of the report, leaving the identity of the attackers and the motive behind the arson unclear. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of the building that houses Télé 50.

The incident comes as Joseph Kabila remains one of the most politically sensitive figures in the DRC. In our previous report the former president’s high treason trial linked to M23 allegations, while international reporting has also documented his conviction in absentia on treason and war crimes charges, allegations Kabila’s camp has rejected as politically motivated.

That background may explain why the attackers’ reported reference to Kabila quickly drew attention. However, there is still no verified evidence that Kanya restaurant belongs to him, nor that the fire was organized by any political group.

For investigators, the next step will be to determine whether the arson was a criminal act using Kabila’s name as a pretext, or whether it forms part of a wider climate of political hostility around the former president. The Associated Press reported that Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia in 2025, but also noted that his party denounced the verdict as political.

Until officials clarify the facts, the Kinshasa fire remains an unresolved security incident with political overtones, not proof of ownership or organized political involvement.