The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have confirmed the arrest of several top-ranking military officials, including Lieutenant General Pacifique Masunzu, one of the country’s most senior Banyamulenge officers and former commander of the Third Military Zone, which covers North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri—regions long troubled by insecurity.
The announcement was made late Thursday during a press briefing held at the FARDC headquarters in Kinshasa, led by Major General Sylvain Ekenge, the military spokesperson, alongside the head of the National Human Rights Commission (CNIDH), Paul Nsapu.
Ekenge told journalists that “a significant number” of high-ranking officers had been detained, though he declined to disclose their names, ranks, or the exact number of those arrested. He said the matter is still under investigation and protected by confidentiality rules.
“I can confirm that General Masunzu is among those detained, but I cannot reveal the reasons. The law forbids us from disclosing details that could compromise the ongoing investigation,” Ekenge said in a separate interview with BBC Gahuzamiryango.
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General Masunzu, a powerful figure within the Banyamulenge military elite, was appointed in 2024 to oversee operations in the volatile eastern provinces. His arrest has sparked widespread concern, especially after weeks of unconfirmed reports about his disappearance.
No Details on the Charges
While FARDC’s spokesperson refrained from revealing the specific reasons behind the arrests, he stated that the generals are accused of “serious offenses related to national security.”
“Yes, many senior military officers and generals have been suspended and are under investigation for serious acts linked to state security,” Ekenge told reporters.
“Because the cases involve many individuals and require deep investigation, we cannot answer questions at this stage.”
Journalists were told in advance that the press conference would not allow questions, allegedly to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigations.
Families Raised Fears of Enforced Disappearance
For weeks, families of the arrested officers expressed deep concern, fearing that their relatives had been killed or forcibly disappeared. Human rights organizations also raised alarm, urging transparency about the fate of the generals.
Paul Nsapu, head of CNIDH, said he personally visited all detained officers and confirmed they are alive and in good health.
“We visited all the officers. Some people reported they had been kidnapped or killed, but I confirm that all of them are alive and held in conditions far better than typical detention centers,” Nsapu noted.
According to Ekenge, the generals are being held in a special facility designed for such cases.
“They are held in a secure, appropriate facility and treated in accordance with law and human rights standards,” he said.
Broader Context of Tension in FARDC
The arrests come at a moment of heightened tension within the military, with accusations circulating about plots, financial mismanagement, and internal power struggles.
- Local media previously reported that two prominent officers General Christian Tshiwewe Songesha, former FARDC Chief of General Staff, and
- General Franck Ntumba, former military intelligence chief were among those detained.
Ekenge neither confirmed nor denied these names, saying only that details will be made public “at the appropriate time.”
A Sensitive Case with National Implications
The detention of Lt. Gen. Pacifique Masunzu is particularly significant. He is one of the most influential Banyamulenge officers in the history of the Congolese military and has played critical roles in past operations in the eastern region.
His arrest deepens the uncertainty surrounding FARDC’s internal cohesion at a time when the country is battling multiple armed groups in the east and navigating sensitive security reforms.
As investigations continue, the military has appointed Major General Nyembo Abdallah as interim commander to replace Masunzu.
DR Congo’s government has yet to provide a detailed statement on the political or security implications of these arrests, while public speculation continues to grow.
