Kinshasa, July 13th, 2025 (CPA). – The apprehensions made in recent days within the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) among general and senior officers do not target any linguistic area, the national army spokesperson has sustained on Friday during an interview with Congolese National Radio and Television (RTNC).
‘If there are apprehensions, it is because each individual has committed an act that is either contrary to the law or contrary to discipline,’ has indicated Major General Sylvain Ekenge. ‘You do not respect the values and qualities required of an officer, the (military) justice system will deal with you,’ he has continued, in a live on national television, to enlighten both national and international opinion against the ‘venom’ of division so often used by the enemies of the Nation.
« The reprehensible acts are committed ‘in good conscience’ by the accused soldiers, and above all ‘as individuals and not on behalf of a community or linguistic group,’ has insisted the FARDC spokesperson. Sylvain Ekenge has firmly reaffirmed the army’s position. ‘We reaffirm our commitment to rigour, integrity and respect for the law. No one is above the rules. Justice will take its course to preserve the honour and cohesion of our forces,’ he has said.
Denunciations and embezzlements
Lifting the veil on what could be the real motives behind these apprehensions; Major General Ekenge has limited himself to listing the denunciations regularly made against generals and senior officers. « There are denunciations of infiltration, treason and embezzlement within the army. When those responsible are caught, (…) they try to inject this poison of division, » he has denounced.
The army has also authorised the dissemination of a denial of rumours shared on social media about the alleged arrest of General Jean-Claude Kifwa, also known as Tango-Tango. ‘I vehemently deny the information about my arrest. I am a free man,’ has declared the FARDC general in a video showing him alongside Lieutenant General Jules Banza, Chief of Staff of the Congolese army. On social media, news of the arrest of a former FARDC chief of staff and his associates had caused a flurry of comments; with some even suggesting that a purge was underway based on ethnic grounds or linguistic affiliation. CPA/