The Congolese army’s unwavering support for President Félix Tshisekedi was reaffirmed during a recent motivational meeting in Kinshasa. Under the leadership of General Christian Tshiwewe, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), all army units were summoned to reiterate their commitment to the Head of State. The meeting follows controversial statements by former Inspector General of Police, General John Numbi, who called on the army to no longer support Tshisekedi if the opposition’s preconditions for credible elections were not met. .
General Tshiwewe did not explicitly mention Numbi by name, but his message was clear: there is only one leader and soldiers must remain loyal to him. He warned those who would be tempted to work for “the enemy” and stressed the importance of vigilance and sharing of information in case of suspicion.
As the elections approach, General Tshiwewe also spoke about the military’s posture during the election campaign. Soldiers will be on high alert to monitor candidate activities and ensure security. He stressed the importance of mutual trust within the army, but also reminded that everyone must remain vigilant.
Regarding the role of the army in the electoral process, General Tshiwewe underlined its mission to support the electoral commission (CENI) so that it can work with complete peace of mind and publish the results in a transparent manner.
In addition, the general announced the upcoming deployment of new units which recently completed their training, thus strengthening the operational capacity of the Congolese army.
This motivational meeting and reminder of loyalty to President Tshisekedi demonstrates the commitment of the Congolese army to supporting the democratic process in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As elections approach, it is essential that the military plays a neutral role and guarantees security during the electoral process. The military’s unwavering support for the president will help strengthen stability and confidence in the country.