Kinshasa-DRC: Senior Military Officers Transferred to Ndolo Prison Amid Treason

On January 7, 2026, Gen. Franck Ntumba Buamunda, former head of the military office at the presidential palace, and Gen. Maj Christian Ndaywel Okura, former head of the military intelligence service, were transferred to Ndolo military prison in Kinshasa. Gen. Ntumba had been arrested in July 2025, while Ndaywel was detained in August 2025, shortly after leaving the intelligence service. Both were initially held in the National Security Council cell during ongoing investigations. Their transfer to Ndolo marks the continuation of their cases at the High Military Court. Other senior officers reported to have spent the night at Ndolo include Brig Gen Benjamin Katende Batubadila, Brig Gen Antoine Longondjo Lobandi, Col Jules Boele Bagolome, and Maj Jean-Lambert Embole Ngondili. The detainees face charges including conspiracy against the Head of State, treason, attempted murder, spreading rumors, and disobeying orders. Meanwhile, Gen. Christian Tshiwewe Songesha, former Chief of Staff of the FARDC and military advisor to President Félix Tshisekedi, remains in the High Security Council cell. He has been accused of plotting to assassinate the president, and the Secretary General of the ruling UDPS party, Augustin Kabuya, stated that Tshiwewe confessed to the alleged plot. Military expert Jean-Jacques Wondo has raised concerns that several of these detentions may be unjust or politically motivated, aimed at removing senior officers from military decision-making. Officers cited by Wondo include Gen. Freddy Kalume, Gen. Maj Frank Ngama Lebe, and Gen. Dieudonné Mutupeke Kiamata, all accused in connection with alleged plots against President Tshisekedi.

Faits rapportés

On January 7, 2026, Gen. Franck Ntumba Buamunda, former head of the military office at the presidential palace, and Gen. Maj Christian Ndaywel Okura, former head of the military intelligence service, were transferred to Ndolo military prison in Kinshasa. Gen. Ntumba had been arrested in July 2025, while Ndaywel was detained in August 2025, shortly after leaving the intelligence service. Both were initially held in the National Security Council cell during ongoing investigations. Their transfer to Ndolo marks the continuation of their cases at the High Military Court. Other senior officers reported to have spent the night at Ndolo include Brig Gen Benjamin Katende Batubadila, Brig Gen Antoine Longondjo Lobandi, Col Jules Boele Bagolome, and Maj Jean-Lambert Embole Ngondili. The detainees face charges including conspiracy against the Head of State, treason, attempted murder, spreading rumors, and disobeying orders. Meanwhile, Gen. Christian Tshiwewe Songesha, former Chief of Staff of the FARDC and military advisor to President Félix Tshisekedi, remains in the High Security Council cell. He has been accused of plotting to assassinate the president, and the Secretary General of the ruling UDPS party, Augustin Kabuya, stated that Tshiwewe confessed to the alleged plot. Military expert Jean-Jacques Wondo has raised concerns that several of these detentions may be unjust or politically motivated, aimed at removing senior officers from military decision-making. Officers cited by Wondo include Gen. Freddy Kalume, Gen. Maj Frank Ngama Lebe, and Gen. Dieudonné Mutupeke Kiamata, all accused in connection with alleged plots against President Tshisekedi.