As political and security tensions continue to rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a new wave of arrests targeting high-ranking military officers has emerged, with 29 generals reportedly detained under controversial circumstances.
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Reliable information released by a coalition of civil society organizations operating within the DRC indicates that these officers were apprehended over the past week, with some reportedly held in undisclosed locations.
It is said that 27 out of the 29 detained generals are Swahili speakers, a detail that has deepened concerns over growing ethnic and linguistic divisions, and potential abuse of military authority.
Among those arrested is General Pierre Banywesize, a former army chief during the regime of Joseph Kabila. He recently served as Deputy Commander of military operations in the Dungu area, Haut-Uele province.
Banywesize was arrested in Kinshasa while awaiting authorization to travel abroad for medical treatment. His current location is unknown, although sources say he is being held by units based at Camp-Kokolo.
Another arrested officer is General Banza Kabulo Joseph, formerly Deputy Commander of the Sokola 2 military operations in South Kivu. He too is reportedly detained in Kinshasa, under secretive conditions.
The human rights groups claim that these arrests are politically motivated and reflect deeper governance issues in the country. They argue that the arrests were conducted illegally, as some generals were detained without warrants, legal charges, or judicial orders.
A statement from the coalition reads: “These events are contributing to the further erosion of national unity and increasing perceptions of targeted injustice, especially against Swahili-speaking communities.”
Although the military leadership has yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrested generals, legal experts and political analysts believe the detentions may reflect a power struggle within the military, divisions rooted in language, regional origin, and political loyalties.
Analysts speculate that these actions could be a strategic effort to sideline individuals suspected of opposing President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration, particularly those linked to former President Kabila or those with differing views on the security crisis in Eastern Congo.
This wave of senior military arrests adds to a long list of human rights concerns in the DRC, especially in conflict-ridden provinces like North and South Kivu, Ituri, and Haut-Uele.
Citizens and civil society activists are increasingly demanding clear and transparent explanations regarding the detention of these military officers.
Non-governmental organizations are calling for an independent investigation, due process for all detainees, and an end to actions that could inflame division, hatred, and discrimination within the security forces.
“Justice is not a privilege reserved for civilians, it also belongs to those in uniform,” the statement concludes, echoing the growing alarm and anguish of those detained under unclear and concerning circumstances.
