Activist Jonas Fred Makita has been arbitrarily detained for three and a half months at the Dolisie Detention Center without trial. He was arrested on 9 January 2026 for “contempt of court and defamation of an institution.” Following a visit to the prison from 8-11 April 2026, Rencontre pour la Paix et les Droits de l’Homme (RPDH) questions why he remains in detention in a judicial district that no longer has jurisdiction over his case, even as his health continues to deteriorate.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling dated 20 February 2026 transferring jurisdiction from Dolisie to Ouesso—1,110 kilometres away—Fred Jonas Makita remains in custody in Dolisie. This transfer follows motions to dismiss filed by the defence attorneys based on the defendant’s place of residence and the alleged location of the crime.
Meanwhile, his detention conditions are worrying. The activist has reported being subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment, including physical abuse. As a result, he still bears visible physical scars, including abscesses on the soles of his feet, and has not yet had the opportunity to see a doctor.
The RPDH also observed that the prison regime imposed on him was particularly strict. Specifically, visits were limited to two days a week, and any visitor other than his wife was required to obtain prior approval from the prison warden. The activist was strictly prohibited from using the telephone, even though other inmates were allowed to use it freely.