DRC Military Court Reviews Defense Memoranda in Case Against Generals Numbi and Tshiwewe

The Haute Cour militaire of the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to hear defense memoranda on Thursday, 9 July 2026 in a case brought by the auditor general of the FARDC against former army chiefs John Numbi, Christian Tshiwewe and seven other senior officers. The defendants face serious charges including conspiracy, treason, praise of terrorism, spreading false rumors, desertion abroad, illegal weapons possession and incitement of soldiers to disobey duty.

Defense lawyers have filed single memoranda and will argue for provisional release or trial in civilian attire, while also contesting the circumstances of the arrests and detentions. The court, chaired by Lt‑General Joseph Mutombo Katalay Tiende, identified the accused; several, including Numbi, Pascal Nyembo and Colonel Tshinabo Kenge, were absent and are considered fugitives.

The hearing follows a brief prior session and will focus on the content of the memoranda before addressing the substantive merits of the case.