KASANGULU, DRC – Over a year after being acquitted of charges of treason and endangering state security, Fortunat Biselele, former private advisor to President Félix Tshisekedi, has chosen to retreat to his agricultural estate in Kasangulu, a small town about 40 kilometers from Kinshasa. While he appears to prefer a peaceful life away from the capital, recent events, such as a private party featuring Congolese music star Fally Ipupa, have fueled speculation about Biselele’s potential political comeback.
An Acquittal That Rekindles the Game of Influence
In January 2023, Fortunat Biselele, then a close associate of President Tshisekedi, was arrested by Congolese intelligence services. He faced serious charges of treason, endangering state security, and spreading false information. The arrest stemmed from an interview with journalist Alain Foka, where Biselele mentioned a possible economic partnership between the DRC and Rwanda—a sensitive proposition amid escalating tensions with M23 rebels.
This explosive context captured the intelligence services’ attention, which suspected Biselele of attempting to damage Tshisekedi’s image for personal gain. However, after several months in detention and a complicated legal process, the Kinshasa-Gombe court acquitted him in August 2023. His lawyers emphasized the absence of tangible evidence, hailing it as a judicial victory. Although this verdict cleared him of charges, the shadow of these accusations still looms over Biselele, casting uncertainty over his political future.
Kasangulu: A Refuge or a Path to Rehabilitation?
Since his acquittal, Biselele has focused on his Kasangulu estate, a roughly 450-acre farm specializing in livestock and fishing, home to an impressive array of animals, including ostriches, zebras, and antelopes. Situated not far from Kinshasa, the estate symbolizes Biselele’s attachment to rural life, far from the political turmoil of the capital. However, for those with a keen eye, this return to nature may serve as a strategic move to maintain his influence while staying out of the capital’s political crossfire.
On October 21, Fally Ipupa, an icon of Congolese music, performed at a private concert at Biselele’s residence to celebrate his wife Sarah’s birthday. This event drew media and social media attention, reigniting speculation about Biselele’s comeback. Despite its private nature, the gathering underscored Biselele’s ability to attract influential figures, indicating that his networks remain strong despite his apparent withdrawal from politics.
A Complex Political Past and Ambivalent Ties with Tshisekedi
For years, Fortunat Biselele was a central figure in Félix Tshisekedi’s inner circle. As a private advisor to the president, he had access to the most sensitive decisions and strategic discussions involving security and diplomacy. His close ties with Rwanda, where he developed strong connections with influential figures, were often seen as a valuable resource amid the complex relationship between the DRC and its eastern neighbor.
However, these same connections became a liability. As relations with Rwanda soured and accusations of Rwandan support for the M23 rebels grew, Biselele’s ties to Rwandan officials were increasingly perceived as a potential conflict of interest. Internally, a “climate of mistrust” developed between him and Tshisekedi, fueled by presidential advisors convinced that Biselele might leverage his relationships to re-enter the power circles through indirect means.
Nonetheless, contact was not entirely severed. Shortly before Sarah Biselele’s birthday celebration, First Lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi visited the Kasangulu estate for a private meeting. While seemingly cordial, this encounter suggests that the relationship between Biselele and the presidency retains a level of ambiguity, leaving room for potential reconciliation.
Echoes of Joseph Kabila and the Kingakati Estate
For some observers, Biselele’s rural retreat bears a striking resemblance to that of former President Joseph Kabila, who, after stepping down, devoted himself to his 47,000-acre estate in Kingakati—a private sanctuary where he continues to wield discreet yet significant influence over Congolese politics, hosting allies and engaging in informal discussions.
Though smaller in scale, Biselele’s estate shares certain traits with Kabila’s. Beyond its agricultural and livestock facilities, it could become a venue for strategic meetings, away from Kinshasa’s prying eyes. While Biselele has not disclosed his future intentions, his estate may provide a peaceful yet potentially influential base of operations as the country approaches new political milestones.
A Path to Political Rehabilitation?
Biselele’s political future remains uncertain. Officially, he appears to favor a quiet life, but his acquittal and sustained ties with influential figures in the presidency leave the door open to a potential return. According to sources close to the presidency, Biselele may consider playing a mediator role, leveraging his contacts in Rwanda to stabilize bilateral relations from a pragmatic stance.
A critical question remains whether Tshisekedi and his inner circle are open to reintegrating Biselele in an official capacity or prefer to keep him at arm’s length. While some presidential advisors believe his networks could be valuable during a time of instability, others worry that his loyalty may be compromised by his historical ties to Rwandan officials.
The Challenge of Rehabilitation in a Time of Suspicion
The complex DRC-Rwanda relationship, which oscillates between economic pragmatism and security concerns, adds another layer of complexity to Biselele’s case. For the National Intelligence Agency (ANR), Biselele’s past with the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie (RCD-Goma), a Rwanda-backed rebellion in the 1990s, remains a red flag. His connections with influential figures in Rwanda’s military intelligentsia, though forged in a cooperative context, raise concerns about his impartiality.
However, Biselele, a shrewd strategist, likely knows that his rehabilitation hinges on a cautious approach. By cultivating his image as a landowner while maintaining discreet ties, he could succeed in restoring his reputation without openly re-engaging with Kinshasa’s political scene.
An Unwritten Story
Fortunat Biselele’s journey embodies the intricacies and intrigues of power in the DRC. In a country where loyalties shift as frequently as political alliances, the ability of one man to reinvent himself can make the difference between disgrace and rehabilitation. While his Kasangulu estate currently symbolizes voluntary retreat, it could also mark the starting point for a calculated comeback.
In balancing his ambivalent stance, Biselele appears to embrace both the role of a gentleman farmer and a potential political mediator, keeping a door open to a possible return to decision-making circles. In this way, he remains an emblematic figure of Congolese political resilience, where apparent distancing never truly implies disinterest in power.
Conclusion: Kasangulu Estate – Sanctuary or Power Base?
Ultimately, Fortunat Biselele finds himself at a critical crossroads. While his acquittal provides him a chance to reflect on his possible re-entry into politics, his estate in Kasangulu may become a symbol of his ambivalent position. In the DRC, where every political actor is either a potential ally or adversary, Biselele navigates cautiously between isolation and influence, consolidating his position for a possible resurgence.
© Odon Bulamba / Africa Daily Report
