Interviewed by the National Intelligence Agency of the DRC, François Beya is still deprived of his freedom. Its future remains uncertain today.
It is an arrest that caused a lot of noise. On Saturday, February 5, the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) arrested François Beya, hitherto considered the influential "Monsieur Intelligence" of Félix Tshisekedi, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was then necessary to wait to find out the reasons for Beya's arrest: Kasongo Mwema, spokesperson for the presidency, then affirmed that the ANR had "sufficiently serious indications" supporting a "threat to national security".
Since, if a "palace war" had been mentioned, Beya being close to the Kabila clan, the issue of national security quickly became the main subject of this affair. Unofficial sources, close to the presidency, assure that “recordings of conspiracies implicate generals of the army”. Other sources, quoted by the press, assure that a "compromising recording" would have circulated, in which Beya openly attacked those close to the Congolese president.
In recent days, however, the Congolese press has focused on the Beya case. For Ground floor exclusive, the intelligence specialist could well be released after his hearing at the end of the week. Information from Top Congo radio, which quotes the boss of the ANR. Except that Beya does not seem ready to come out of detention. The Collectif Free François Beya Kasonga believes that it is in fact a " an approach that voluntarily sows confusion”.
Indeed, François Beya could well stay for many more weeks in the premises of the ANR. His conditions of detention are known: Beya has an entire apartment and the man can receive visits from some of his relatives, from his wife to his daughter, including his brother Constantin Tshiyombo, as well as his doctor.
Friends in high places of François Beya
Beya's file is sensitive for Kinshasa. During his long career, François Beya has established solid networks, not only in the country, but also internationally. In the sub-region, "Fantômas" maintains privileged relations with his intelligence colleagues, in Angola, Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda... He would also be connected to the presidential palaces, where he was often received in within the framework of security cooperation projects or joint operations.
He had trained with the Israeli intelligence services (GSS), but also in Langley, the cradle of the CIA in the United States, for two years. "François Beya has also long preserved a relationship of trust forged under Mobutu and strengthened during the Congo wars, with American diplomacy and the CIA, which he did not hide from some of his counterparts in Central Africa", says AfricaIntelligence.
"In recent months, he has met several times with the boss of the DGSE, Bernard Emié", even reveals the newspaper. Beya also has friends in high places in France.
Placement under house arrest considered
Beya risks remaining detained while the investigation continues. "The ANR services are working to establish the possible internal and external ramifications as well as their consequences on the present and future security of the State", summarizes Le Journal de Kinshasa.
But then, where does the information concerning a possible release of François Beya come from? According to someone close to the case, placement under house arrest would be considered.
Be that as it may, beyond the simple arrest of Beya, a whole operation was set up: a dozen arrests took place just in the context of this case. Arrests which concern in particular senior officers of the Republican Guard or the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). Several civilians are also involved, as well as Beya's relatives, some of whom have already been questioned.
There is no doubt that after the search which was carried out in Beya's offices, located within the Sultani hotel, and after several days of hearing, a decision will be made as to the future of the former adviser to the Presidency. But while the investigation is progressing slowly, the outright release of Félix Tshisekedi's former "Mister Intelligence" does not seem to be on the agenda today.