Congo suspends four port officials over grave misconduct
The director general of the Port of Pointe-Noire and three other senior managers were suspended on November 2, 2026.
The director general of the Port of Pointe-Noire, Séraphin Bhalat, and three other senior officials were suspended from their duties on November 2, 2026, for "grave misconduct." The suspension order was issued by the Minister of Transport, Josué Rodrigue Ngouonimba. Also suspended are Émile Ngandzien, director of finance and accounting; Léopold Vincent Mopita, director of control and budget; and Edmond Jean de Dieu Otsoa, permanent secretary of the market procurement unit.
The suspensions follow questions raised by emails attributed to the officials regarding a financial operation under Bhalat's direction. The minister reportedly sought explanations for a transfer to a bank account not belonging to the company that executed the work. The exact circumstances, amount, and justifications for this operation remain unclear. Serges César Bouya, the deputy director general, has been appointed to act as interim director general.
The Port of Pointe-Noire is a strategic infrastructure for the Republic of Congo's trade. The simultaneous suspension of key financial and administrative managers raises governance and transparency concerns. This incident occurs as the port handles essential imports and exports for the country and the wider sub-region.
Why it mattersFour senior officials at the Port of Pointe-Noire, a key economic infrastructure, have been suspended due to alleged grave misconduct and financial irregularities.