In a significant shake-up of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) military leadership, President Félix Tshisekedi made sweeping changes on Thursday, December 19. Among the most notable moves, Lt Gen Jules Banza Mwilambwe was appointed as the new Chief of General Staff of the Congolese armed forces, replacing Gen Christian Tshiwewe, who had held the post for over two years. Tshiwewe has been reassigned as an adviser to the President, a decision described in a presidential decree as stemming from “necessity and urgency.”
Lt Gen Mwilambwe, previously the deputy head of the Military House of the Head of State, will now lead the Congolese army. His former role involved overseeing operations and intelligence within a structure directly reporting to the President. This reshuffle also brought extensive changes within the Republican Guard, the elite presidential security unit, and the army’s regional commands:
- Gen Pacifique Masunzu: Appointed commander of the zone covering North Kivu province, a region currently grappling with M23 rebel advances. He replaces Gen Chico Tshitambwe, now leading the First Defence Zone, encompassing Kinshasa and several western provinces.
- Maj Gen Clement Bitangalo: Assigned command of the Second Defence Zone.
- Gen Christian Ndaywel: Promoted to Chief of General Staff of the Land Force.
- Maj Gen Jean Roger Makombo: Named Chief of Military Intelligence.
Additional appointments include:
- Brig Gen Jean Bertemance Mulume: Deputy Chief of Operations.
- Brig Gen Mbuyi Tshivuadi: Deputy Chief of Administration.
- Lt Gen Jacques Nduru: Reappointed as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Intelligence.
- Gen François Kabamba wa Kasanda: Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Administration.
These leadership changes occur amidst escalating tensions in North Kivu, where M23 rebels continue their offensive. Earlier this week, the rebels seized multiple towns, advancing dangerously close to Butembo, a major commercial hub in the province. The Congolese government acknowledged these advances, citing strategic withdrawals by the national army (FARDC).
President Tshisekedi’s decisions aim to bolster the military’s strategic capabilities in confronting the growing threats posed by the M23 insurgency. By placing experienced commanders in key roles, the administration seeks to stabilize the volatile eastern region and ensure the security of the nation’s capital and western provinces.
This overhaul underscores the urgent need to address the security crisis in DRC. With M23 rebels gaining ground and increasing pressure on the Congolese army, the effectiveness of the newly appointed leadership will be critical in determining the country’s ability to counter the insurgency and restore stability in affected regions.
