Gen Mbala to Testify in Trial of Lt Gen Yav Over Alleged Rwanda Collaboration

Kinshasa, February 21, 2026 - Gen Célestin Mbala Munsense, former Commander-in-Chief of the FARDC (2018-2022), is set to testify in the trial of Lt Gen Philemon Yav Irung, who faces accusations of collaborating with the Rwandan government while commanding the 3rd Military Region.

The Military High Court heard that Lt Gen Yav allegedly communicated with Rwandan officials to undermine FARDC troops. The general denied the accusations, stating that he had never engaged with Rwandan authorities, and that he only received a phone message from an unknown sender alleging FARDC collusion with the FDLR.

The prosecution acknowledged the difficulty in accessing the phone messages. The court subsequently requested the National Cyber Security Agency (CNC) to investigate any potential communications.

Lt Gen Yav requested that Gen Mbala be summoned to clarify the issues and testify on his conduct while serving in the national army. The judges approved this request, scheduling Gen Mbala to appear at the next hearing on March 2, 2026.

Additionally, Lt Gen Yav asked for the re-summoning of other military officials, including Lt Gen Constant Ndima (former Governor of North Kivu Province), Brig Gen Mwehu Lumbu (former FARDC Spokesperson), and Gen Maj Sylvain Ekenge (former National Army Spokesperson), to provide further testimony. Previous statements from these officials had been contradictory regarding messages allegedly received from Rwandan authorities.

Lt Gen Yav was arrested in September 2022 following the capture of Rutshuru territory, including Bunagana, by the M23 armed group. His trial began in January 2026, amid growing scrutiny of alleged military collusion with neighboring countries.