The Democratic Republic of Congo's Justice Minister Celestin Tunda has been released from custody just hours after his arrest in the capital, Kinshasa.

Authorities did not immediately explain the reasons for the arrest of Tunda, who also holds the position of vice prime minister in President Felix Tshisekedi's government.

The arrest highlights the growing tensions within the ruling coalition between Tshisekedi's camp and that of his predecessor, Joseph Kabila.

Tunda is a senior figure in Kabila's FCC party, which holds a majority in parliament and controls most posts in the cabinet.

"The minister of justice is an FCC heavyweight and his arrest, if confirmed, follows many turbulences over few weeks now."