Paris, March 8, 2025 – The Sassoufit Collective expresses its deep indignation at the blatant incompetence of the French justice system, which has allowed Antoinette Tchibota Sassou Nguesso to evade justice. The First Lady of the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) hastily left French territory in early March after being summoned at the end of February by an investigating judge in Paris as part of the « ill-gotten gains » case. This escape, made possible by the absence of basic judicial precautionary measures, represents a resounding failure of the French authorities in fulfilling their most fundamental duty: ensuring that a suspect does not flee to escape justice.

The Failure of French Justice to Prevent the Escape of a Key Suspect

The sudden departure of Antoinette Sassou Nguesso highlights serious shortcomings in the French judicial system. Despite the obvious risk of flight in this high-profile case, no strict measures—such as a travel ban or pre-trial detention—were imposed to ensure her presence before the judge. By allowing a suspect in a major international corruption case to leave the country so easily, the French justice system has failed in its mission. The Sassoufit Collective denounces this unacceptable failure, which raises serious doubts about France’s commitment to combating corruption and impunity.

Fifteen Years of Waiting for the “Ill-Gotten Gains” Trial

The Congolese people have been waiting for years for justice to be served in the ill-gotten gains case involving the Sassou Nguesso clan. The first complaint by NGOs was filed in 2007, denouncing the massive real estate assets acquired in France by Congolese leaders. Yet, nearly eighteen years later, no trial has been held regarding Congo-Brazzaville, despite the seizure of luxury properties (mansions, apartments) linked to the ruling family. This long and unexplained delay has caused frustration and anger among Congolese citizens and the Congolese diaspora in France, who question whether the French authorities truly intend to bring this case to trial. The Sassoufit Collective insists that « justice delayed is justice denied »—it is urgent that this case finally proceeds to a fair and transparent trial.

A Case That Must Not Be Used for Diplomatic Bargaining

The Sassoufit Collective warns against the risk of seeing the ill-gotten gains case turned into a mere diplomatic bargaining tool between Paris and Brazzaville. Without real judicial progress, this case could be used as a bargaining chip in Franco-Congolese negotiations instead of being treated as a legal matter in its own right. It would be unacceptable for the French justice system to use this trial as a political pressure tool, at the expense of judicial independence and the rights of Congolese citizens to obtain justice. Only a fair and public trial will eliminate suspicions of political interference and restore confidence in France’s fight against international corruption.

Alarming Precedents: Ndenguet and Oba Allowed to Escape

This episode is reminiscent of troubling past cases where Congolese officials accused of serious crimes managed to escape French justice. In 2004, Jean-François Ndenguet, then Director-General of the Congolese police, accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the « Disappeared of the Beach » case, was arrested in Paris… only to be released and allowed to leave France without facing prosecution. Similarly, General Pierre Oba, Congo’s former Minister of the Interior, who was also accused of crimes against humanity, was able to stay in France and return to Brazzaville without ever being prosecuted. These cases illustrate a worrying pattern of leniency—despite the severity of the charges, the judicial system failed or refused to detain these individuals. The Sassoufit Collective condemns France’s failure to ensure justice in cases involving foreign dignitaries accused of the worst crimes.

Prolonged Impunity: A Parallel with Rwandan Genocidaires

The case of Antoinette Sassou Nguesso fits into a broader trend of long-standing impunity in France for individuals accused of major crimes. There is a striking parallel with the presence in France for decades of officials involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, who were able to reside freely without being immediately prosecuted. It took more than twenty years for some of these alleged genocidaires to finally be brought to trial in France, highlighting the delays—and even complacency—with which serious cases have been handled. The Sassoufit Collective warns that when justice delays action against mass crimes or large-scale financial crimes, it leads to a collapse of the rule of law and encourages other accused individuals to believe they are safe. No diplomatic or geopolitical consideration should take precedence over the pursuit of justice, whether for war criminals or corrupt officials.

For Effective Justice and the Restitution of Assets to the Congolese People

The Sassoufit Collective calls for an immediate and firm response from the French justice system.

• First, it is imperative that the ill-gotten gains case involving Congo-Brazzaville finally proceeds to trial without further delay, ensuring full transparency on embezzled public funds and those responsible.
• Second, in the event of convictions, the Sassoufit Collective insists that all proceeds from the seizure and sale of ill-gotten assets be returned to the Congolese people. These funds—amounting to tens of millions of euros—must be allocated to a special fund dedicated to the development and democratization of Congo-Brazzaville under independent supervision. It is unacceptable that stolen public funds end up in a foreign state’s treasury or be returned to the very individuals who embezzled them. Such a restitution measure would send a strong signal, fulfilling the ultimate goal of the procedure: to repair, as much as possible, the harm done to the country and its people.

Justice Awaited, Justice Demanded

The Sassoufit Collective calls on France to uphold its principles and international commitments in the fight against corruption and impunity. The ill-gotten gains case must finally lead to a fair trial, and no more special privileges should be granted to accused dignitaries. Impunity must no longer be the rule—not for Antoinette Tchibota Sassou Nguesso, nor for any official implicated in economic crimes or crimes against humanity. The Congolese people, who have followed this case with hope for too long, deserve justice. The Sassoufit Collective will remain vigilant regarding the judicial outcome of this case and reiterates that only a firm and independent justice system will restore the people’s trust in institutions and send a clear message: France will no longer be a safe haven for impunity.

This press release may be freely reproduced by the media.