Shock in DR Congo: Ex-Army Chief Tshiwewe Accused of Plotting to Assassinate President Tshisekedi

A major political storm is brewing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after explosive allegations emerged linking former army chief General Christian Tshiwewe Songesha to a plot to assassinate President Félix Tshisekedi.  

The stunning revelations have sent shockwaves across the country and beyond, raising serious questions about internal divisions within the Congolese military and political elite. 

General Tshiwewe, who served as the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) from 2022 to 2024, is now at the center of a suspected assassination plot targeting the head of state.  

Reports began surfacing last week that multiple individuals close to the former general had been arrested in connection with the alleged conspiracy. 

Among those reportedly detained are Major General Maurice Nyembo, Lieutenant Colonel Adelart Mwiza, and several members of Tshiwewe’s personal security detail. These arrests mark a dramatic escalation in what appears to be a deeply rooted power struggle within the Congolese establishment. 

Speaking on July 15, 2025, Augustin Kabuya, the Secretary-General of the ruling party UDPS (Union for Democracy and Social Progress), addressed party members with a chilling confirmation: 

“Apparently, people are not realizing how serious this is,” Kabuya said. “Someone quietly sat down, gathered accomplices, and planned the murder of a man, a father, a grandfather, the President. And they think he shouldn’t be held accountable?” 

Even more troubling, Kabuya revealed that General Tshiwewe did not deny the accusations when questioned by security services. 

“Those who know the truth understand the damage he caused. And he himself didn’t deny it, that’s practically an admission that he was planning the murder.” 

These revelations paint a disturbing picture of betrayal at the highest levels of power. Ironically, during his time as FARDC chief, Tshiwewe had publicly denounced acts of treason within the army, particularly during the prolonged conflict in the eastern DRC, where the M23/AFC rebel alliance has taken over large territories. 

Observers fear this latest scandal could further destabilize an already fragile nation, especially given the ongoing war in the east and rising tensions in Kinshasa. The public is now left wondering: how deep does the conspiracy run, and who else might be involved? 

As investigations continue, the fate of General Tshiwewe and his alleged co-conspirators remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the DRC’s political landscape may never be the same again.