In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the highest court, known as the Court of Cassation, sentenced former Minister of Justice and Attorney General Constant Mutamba to ten years of forced labor on Friday, September 18, 2026. He was found guilty of embezzling over $20 million, which he mismanaged while handling compensation payments for victims and managing public contracts that were both disputed and controversial. The misused funds were originally intended to support victims of illicit activities and were managed by the Special Fund for the Reparation and Compensation of Victims of Illicit Activities in Uganda, commonly referred to as Frivao. This fund operated in the northeastern part of the DRC during the 2000s, a period marked by political instability and conflict in the region. The funds were meant to provide reparations to those affected by illegal activities, including war crimes and human rights violations. Mutamba was accused of misusing these funds for personal gain or other unauthorized purposes, which led to a significant shortfall in the support provided to victims. The case has drawn attention to the challenges of managing international and national compensation funds in regions affected by prolonged conflict and corruption. The ruling by the Court of Cassation underscores the DRC's ongoing efforts to address past corruption and ensure accountability in public institutions. It also highlights the importance of transparency in handling funds meant for victims of conflict and illicit activities, a critical issue in post-conflict recovery and justice.