Pandora papers: More reactions in Africa to leak

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(FILES) In this file photograph taken on September 3, 2019, Democratic Republic of Congo's President Denis Sassou Nguesso arrives for a visit at The Elysee Palace in Paris. - Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso has been chosen by his party to run again for the top job in 2021, having already led the central African country for a total of 35 years. During its congress in Brazzaville overnight December 30, 2019, his Congolese Party of Labour (PCT) unanimously named Sessou Nguesso, 76, as its candidate for president. (Photo by ludovic MARIN / AFP)

Congo-Brazzaville’s President Denis Sassou-Nguesso could take legal action after he was named in the leaked documents, French broadcaster RFI reports quoting the information minister.

The Pandora Papers said Mr Sassou-Nguesso owned a company that controlled diamond mines in Congo. 

The Congolese authorities rejected the claims. 

Information minister Thierry Moungalla has condemned the leaks and said the president could sue media outlets that report on them.

In Kenya, political opponents of President Uhuru Kenyatta say the multi-million dollar properties as well as stocks and bonds worth over $30m (£22m) that his family reportedly owns in foreign countries should be liquidated and sent back home to boost the economy. 

Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji told the Daily Nation newspaper that his office will probe individuals mentioned in the Pandora Papers “if the documents [will] help unearth crime as a source of funds”. 

Uganda’s Security Minister Jim Muhwezi, who was reported to own shares worth millions of dollars in two foreign shell companies, was non-committal when contacted by the Daily Monitor newspaper.

“I don’t know what you are talking about and I can’t make any reply,” Mr Muhwezi was quoted as saying.

BBC