By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has replaced the chief of staff of the armed forces and dozens of other senior military figures in one of the biggest shake-ups of its kind in recent years, state television reported on Thursday.
The presidential order, read by the state broadcaster, did not provide a reason for the removal of armed forces chief Christian Tshiwewe Songesha.
He has been replaced by Lieutenant-General Jules Banza Mwilambwe.
Others replaced include the head of military intelligence and most of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s commanding officers, including those in charge of security operations in the volatile east, which has been further destabilised by the M23 rebel insurgency since 2022.
The last significant military reshuffle occurred in October 2022, when Tshisekedi appointed Tshiwewe as chief of staff as part of broader defence reforms aimed at boosting efficiency.
Fighting has recently flared in eastern North Kivu province, violating a ceasefire agreement, while hopes for an imminent deal with neighbouring Rwanda to curb the M23 conflict have diminished.
Congo and the United Nations accuse Rwanda of backing M23 rebels with troops and weapons. Rwanda denies the allegations.
