The Congolese president reshuffles the military and fires prominent officials

State media reported on Thursday that Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi had replaced the chief of staff of the armed forces and dozens of other top military officials. This was one of the biggest changes in the military in recent years.

A broadcaster read an order from the president that got rid of armed forces boss Christian Tshiwewe Songesha without giving a reason. Lieutenant-General Jules Banza Mwilambwe has been put in his place.

The leader of military intelligence and most of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s commanding officers have also been changed. This includes those in charge of security operations in the east, which has been unstable since 2022 because of the M23 rebel insurgency.

The last big change in the military happened in October 2022, when Tshisekedi made Tshiwewe chief of staff as part of larger defense reforms that his office said were meant to make the military work better.

Recently, fighting has gotten worse in the eastern province of North Kivu, breaking a ceasefire agreement. There are also fewer signs that a deal will be reached soon with neighboring Rwanda to end the M23 war.

The UN and Congo say that Rwanda is helping M23 by sending men and weapons to the area. Rwanda doesn’t agree with this.