Congo reverses Falcon 7X seizure 6 years after Lebanese businessman’s $2.5 billion claims

A French court has ordered the return of Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou-Nguesso’s Falcon 7X private jet to the Congolese state, reversing its 2020 seizure at the request of Lebanese businessman Mohsen Hojeij and his company, Commisimpex.

The decision, announced on November 6, 2026, marks a significant legal victory for Brazzaville in its long-running dispute with Hojeij, who is pursuing €2.2 billion ($2.5 billion) in claims against the Congolese government over unpaid debts arising from construction contracts dating back several decades.

The aircraft, which had been held in France following legal action initiated by Commisimpex, has now been placed in the care of the Congolese state. The ruling represents a symbolic setback for the Lebanese creditor and his financial backers, while signalling a shift in the legal strategy adopted by the government’s new defence lawyers.

Congo secures reversal of Falcon 7X seizure

The Falcon 7X was seized in France in 2020 following a request by Hojeij, whose company has spent years pursuing the Republic of Congo over claims linked to construction projects undertaken under contracts with the state.

Commisimpex’s claims over Falcon 7X amount to approximately €2.2 billion ($2.5 billion), making the dispute one of the most significant financial and legal challenges facing the Congolese government.

The latest ruling changes the status of the presidential aircraft, which had remained under the control of the creditor following its seizure. Its return to the Congolese state is therefore more than an asset recovery: it represents a notable development in Brazzaville’s efforts to challenge the enforcement of the claims.

New legal strategy delivers symbolic victory

The decision also highlights the impact of the legal strategy pursued by the Republic of Congo’s new defence team.

By securing the return of an aircraft previously seized at the creditor’s request, the government has achieved a high-profile result in a dispute that has placed significant pressure on its finances and international legal position.

However, the ruling does not, on the information available, establish that the wider €2.2 billion ($2.5 billion) dispute has been resolved. Hojeij’s underlying claims remain central to the broader legal confrontation between Commisimpex and the Congolese state.

Corruption investigation puts arbitration under scrutiny

The court decision comes amid growing scrutiny of the legal process behind Commisimpex’s claims. In early 2026, French energy major TotalEnergies joined an ongoing judicial investigation as a civil party. The investigation is examining potential corruption surrounding the original arbitration proceedings that validated Commisimpex’s multi-billion-euro claims against the Congolese government.

The inquiry adds another dimension to the dispute, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the arbitration award and the enforcement actions that followed.

For Brazzaville, the return of Sassou-Nguesso’s Falcon 7X represents an important development in its efforts to contest the creditor’s claims. While the broader financial dispute remains unresolved, the ruling gives the Congolese government a significant symbolic victory in its prolonged legal battle with Commisimpex.