In his capacity as Communications and Media Minister, Lambert Mende is therefore responsible for obstructing a consensual and peaceful solution towards elections in DRC, including by acts of repression.
As Communications and Media Minister since 2008, Lambert Mende is responsible for a repressive media policy which breaches the right to freedom of expression and information and undermines a consensual and peaceful solution towards elections in DRC. On 12 Nov 2016, he adopted a decree limiting the possibility for foreign media outlets to broadcast in DRC.
In breach of the political agreement settled on 31 Dec 2016 between the presidential majority and opposition parties, broadcasting had not resumed for a number of media outlets as of Oct 2018.