Denise Dusauchoy Case Sparks Dispute Over Extradition’s Legality

The extradition of Congolese influencer Denise Mukendi Dusauchoy from Tanzania to the Democratic Republic of Congo has opened a sharp dispute over whether the procedure respected the law.

Dusauchoy is already in Kinshasa and is expected to face justice there, according to sources close to the Congolese Justice Ministry. International lawyer Paul Okito, speaking to Radio Okapi, described the extradition as illegal. He said it violated fundamental rights and several principles of international law.

Okito also argued that the Tanzanian government acted too quickly and did not examine the case file in sufficient depth before sending the accused influencer to the DRC.

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This extradition procedure was illegal and violated fundamental rights as well as several principles of international law.

Lawyer Manix Iyenda offered the opposite assessment. The president of the socio-political movement Les Volontaires de la République said the extradition procedure had been properly followed. He pointed to an agreement signed by the DRC and Tanzania covering people facing criminal proceedings in either country. Iyenda said Dusauchoy was returned so an ongoing judicial case could continue and she could be tried under Congolese law.

The Congolese Justice Ministry said the extradition forms part of steps launched in 2025. In October and November of that year, the prosecutor general at the Court of Cassation sent three international letters rogatory to Belgian judicial authorities. The requests involved several cases opened at the Kinshasa/Gombe High Court Prosecutor’s Office, including cases involving Dusauchoy and other people. International arrest warrants were also issued in connection with those proceedings.

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The extradition procedure was fully respected.