The High Military Court in Kinshasa on Thursday opened the trial of former Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) Chief of Staff, Gen Christian Tshiwewe Songesha, and other senior officers accused of conspiracy, treason, and related offences.
Tshiwewe, the former head of the FARDC, was arrested in July 2025 following investigation of a series of military setbacks suffered by government forces in eastern DRC since March 23 Movement rebels captured Bunagana border post on DRC–Uganda border in 2022.
Others standing trial include former Inspector General of the Congolese National Police John Numbi, Major General Maurice Nyembo Kufi, Brigadier General Chinyabuuma Kamukinde, John Ngoy wa Kabila, John Sangwa Muhemedi, Colonel Guy Mukombozi Zahinda, Pathy Sangwa Lumbu, and Christophe Tshibangu Kenge.
Also charged is civilian Pascal Nyembo Muyumba, former Director General of the Centre for Expertise, Evaluation and Certification of Precious and Semi-Precious Mineral Substances (CEEC).
Numbi remains a fugitive after fleeing the country in March 2021. He was dismissed from the police force over allegations linking him to the killing of human rights activist Floribert Chebeya, founder of the Voice of the Voiceless rights movement.Chebeya was found dead in his car on June 2, 2010.
Initially detained at the National Cyber Defence Council, Tshiwewe and the other suspects were later transferred to Ndolo Military Prison.
On Thursday, the accused appeared before the High Military Court in Gombe, Kinshasa, to answer charges including conspiracy, treason, glorification of terrorism, spreading false information, violating military orders, desertion abroad, illegal possession of weapons and ammunition and inciting military personnel to commit acts contrary to duty and discipline.
Speaking to the media, Minister of State for Justice Guillaume Ngefa said that during wartime, military justice plays a critical role in maintaining discipline within the armed forces and combating impunity.
Fighting between FARDC troops and the M23 rebel coalition continues in eastern DRC.
M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused FARDC and its allied forces of bombing the areas of Gakenke, Bidegu, and Mikenke in Minembwe and surrounding parts of South Kivu Province between Wednesday night and Thursday morning using kamikaze drones and KT-6 aircraft.
Kanyuka alleged that the targeted areas were inhabited by civilians and said the Kinshasa government had been repeatedly warned about the consequences of such attacks. According to him, the operations have caused civilian deaths, destroyed property, and forced thousands of people to flee their homes. He added that both the Congolese public and the international community had been informed of these warnings. M23 currently controls large parts of North and South Kivu provinces.
The M23/AFC movement re-emerged in 2022 under the leadership of Bertrand Bisimwa and Sultan Makenga, and is actively fighting government forces in eastern DRC.
The Congolese government has consistently accused Rwanda of supporting the rebel group, allegations that have repeatedly been denied by both Kigali and M23/AFC leaders. M23/AFC says its armed struggle is aimed at addressing corruption, discrimination, and governance failures in the DRC. In 2025, the movement intensified its military campaign in eastern DRC, capturing several strategic towns and raising concerns about the potential of a wider regional conflict--URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
