DRC Military Court to Try Former Army Chief Gen Tshiwewe and Senior Officers

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 1, 2026 - The High Military Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to begin proceedings on June 4, 2026, in a high-profile trial involving several senior military officers, including former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen Christian Tshiwewe Songesha.

The preliminary decision to open the trial was signed on May 29 by the Chief Registrar of the Kinshasa Military Court, Col Jeanne Françoise Ngalula Mpiana.

Among those also facing trial are several high-ranking officers, including Gen John Numbi Banza Ntambo, who is reported to have fled to Zimbabwe, as well as Gen Maj Maurice Nyembo Kufi, former chief of staff to Gen Tshiwewe. Other accused officers include Brig Gen Chinyabuuma Kamukinde, Brig Gen John Ngoy wa Kabila, and Brig Gen John Sangwa Muhemedi.

The case also involves three colonels and a civilian defendant, bringing the total number of accused to multiple senior military and security figures.

Authorities say the trial is expected to be one of the most significant military proceedings in recent years and may be held partially behind closed doors due to the sensitivity of national security-related evidence.

The defendants face charges including conspiracy, treason, support for terrorist activities, insubordination, desertion, illegal possession of weapons and ammunition, and incitement of military personnel to disobey orders.

Gen Tshiwewe, who served as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces from 2022 to 2024, was arrested in July 2025 while serving as a military advisor to President Félix Tshisekedi.

At the time of his arrest, authorities did not publicly disclose details, although political figures later alleged he had been involved in a plot against the head of state.