Congo President’s Heir Apparent Arrested in Corruption Probe
- Kamerhe detained after appearing at hearing on corruption
- Potential successor to president being held at Makala prison
Vital Kamerhe
Photographer: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The chief of staff and potential successor to Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi is under provisional arrest as part of a corruption investigation, fracturing his administration and throwing the country’s political class into turmoil.
Authorities detained Vital Kamerhe Wednesday after he appeared at a hearing on state corruption, police spokesman Colonel Pierrot Mwanamputu said Thursday by phone from the capital, Kinshasa. Kamerhe is being held at the city’s Makala prison and hasn’t been charged.