The Congolese military announced Saturday the arrest of several soldiers, including senior officers, for acts threatening state security. Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge told reporters in Kinshasa that the suspects are held under legal restrictions, with freedoms limited as investigations continue.
Ekenge confirmed that multiple generals and senior officers are under house arrest for “highly reprehensible acts” undermining the Democratic Republic of Congo’s state security. “Their pre-trial detention has been extended at the prosecution’s request,” Ekenge added, highlighting ongoing judicial scrutiny amid high-profile military arrests.
The National Human Rights Commission visited the detained officers following complaints from families regarding their alleged deplorable conditions in custody, officials said. Commission president Paul Nsapu reported that the officers remain in good health and receive regular medical attention from doctors.
The arrests follow a July crackdown, when former army chief Lt. Gen. Christian Tshiwewe and other military officers were detained for allegedly plotting a government overthrow. Authorities have not disclosed the total number of soldiers arrested, maintaining tight control over sensitive security information as investigations proceed.
Observers say the measures reflect ongoing tensions within the Congolese military and the government’s determination to curb potential threats to President Felix Tshisekedi’s administration. Ekenge emphasized that all actions comply with the law, portraying the arrests as part of a disciplined and lawful effort to protect national security.