The trial of former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army chief General Christian Tshiwewe has begun before the High Military Court in Kinshasa, marking one of the most significant military cases in the country’s recent history.
Tshiwewe and several senior military officers are facing a series of serious charges, including conspiracy, treason, supporting terrorism, and spreading false information.
The former general was once among the most influential figures in the Congolese security establishment. Before becoming Chief of the Armed Forces in 2022, he served as commander of the Republican Guard, the elite unit responsible for protecting President Félix Tshisekedi and key state institutions.
He remained head of the military until January 2025, when he was replaced in a reshuffle carried out during a period of growing security concerns in eastern Congo.
His removal came only days before the AFC/M23 rebels captured the strategic city of Goma, a major setback for government forces that raised questions about the military’s preparedness and leadership.
Following his departure as army chief, Tshiwewe was appointed military adviser to President Tshisekedi. His arrest later surprised many political and military observers, given his close association with the presidency and his long service within the country’s security apparatus.
Prosecutors accuse the former general and his co-defendants of participating in activities that threatened national security. Authorities have not publicly disclosed all details supporting the charges, but the case is expected to attract significant attention as proceedings continue.
The allegations come at a time when the Congolese government remains under pressure to respond to armed groups operating in the country’s eastern provinces, particularly AFC/M23, whose advances over the past two years have displaced hundreds of thousands of people and heightened tensions across the region.
Legal analysts say the trial could have important political and military implications because of Tshiwewe’s former role at the center of the country’s security structure.
The High Military Court is expected to hear testimony from prosecutors, defense lawyers, and witnesses in the coming weeks as it examines the allegations against the former army chief and the other officers standing trial alongside him.
Neither Tshiwewe nor his legal team had publicly responded to the charges at the opening of the proceedings.
The case is being closely watched in Kinshasa and beyond, where many see it as a major test of accountability within Congo’s military and political institutions.
