Jean-Jacques Wondo, the Congolese-Belgian military expert who spent eight months in a Congolese prison, arrived in Brussels-Midi Station on Wednesday afternoon, greeted by friends, family and the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés).
"At home, at home." Wondo was greeted by dozens of chanting family members, who burst into joy at his reunion. Wondo, a Belgian-Congolese military expert, spent more than eight months in prison in Kinshasa. He was sentenced to death by a military court in Kinshasa last September, along with around thirty other defendants, for his role in a failed coup.
Wondo himself looked healthy, but above all very moved. He wore sunglasses to hide tears of joy. "The most important thing is that I have regained my freedom. I will fight for my recovery," he said.
He thanked his loved ones, but also everyone who contributed to his release. His family has organised several expressions of support and demonstrations in Brussels.
"From the beginning of my captivity until today, I have remained calm, because I know that I am innocent."
Vice-prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot pictured during the arrival of Wondo at Brussels-Midi train station, on Wednesday 05 February 2025 in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
When asked about the conditions in the Congolese prison, he says that today is not the time for that, stating only thing he will say about it is that he lost almost 20 kilos.
"I had a mission to complete for Congo, which was brutally cut short because I advocated reforms: humanisation, modernisation and professionalisation," he adds.
Nevertheless, today he mainly wants to enjoy his loved ones and the fact that he is a free man again.
"I am innocent in every respect. Now we have all seen how the Congolese justice system works. Let us hope that the Congolese president also sees that and carries out the necessary reforms."
Belgian support for Congo
While the family was waiting for Jean-Jacques Wondo in the arrivals hall of Brussels-South, Prévot once again clarified how the release came about. Earlier in the day, he gave a joint press conference in Brussels with his Congolese counterpart.
The Minister referred to the Belgian position on the violence in eastern Congo. Prévot told the press that "the general context and Belgium's support for democracy in Congo were decisive".
"The violence in eastern Congo is certainly a problem. Belgium must support the Congolese people against the struggle in the east, which is supported by Rwanda. We will urge our European partners to take the necessary measures and send a clear signal," he said
Wondo's brother-in-law Joël Kandolo is acting as spokesperson for the family and said "we are very happy with his release."
Wondo worked as a military expert for the Belgian Justice Ministry and also undertook assignments for the Congolese security service Agence Nationale des Renseignements. He was in the Congolese capital Kinshasa when an attempted coup took place there on 19 May. Wondo was arrested because an old photo of him turned up next to the coup leader, Christian Malanga. Malanga was shot dead that same day
