The army general, who serves as the commander of the 21st Military Region in the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), was apprehended at Camp Kololo military base located in the capital, Kinshasa.

Maj. Gen. Tshibangu, who previously commanded forces in the provinces of Kasai Central and Kasai Oriental, was arrested along with other senior military officers, including Gen. Christian Tshiwewe Songesa, former Chief of Staff of the Congolese army, and Lt. Franck Ntumba, former head of military operations in the Office of President Tshisekedi.

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He joins Maj. Gen. Christian Ndaywel, former head of military intelligence and later commander of ground forces, as well as Lt. Gen. Pacifique Masunzu, who led the third military zone of FARDC. This indicates ongoing tension between top military officials and the current government.

Sources from Kinshasa report that Maj. Gen. Tshibangu was taken for interrogation by intelligence services, sparking concern and fear among senior military figures. So far, the Congolese army has refrained from publicly disclosing the exact reason for his arrest.

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Reports suggest that the operation to detain him was conducted unexpectedly, and that he had been displaying suspicious behavior, raising concerns that he might have been involved in unclear or subversive plans.

Maj. Gen. Tshibangu is a well-known figure in Congolese history. He was formerly a member of the RCD/Goma rebel movement before integrating into the FARDC. In 2011, he announced the formation of an armed group opposing then-President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of stealing the votes of Étienne Tshisekedi in the elections. At that time, he fled the country, was later captured in Tanzania, and extradited to Congo, where he faced charges of desertion and forming a rebel group.

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After a few years, Tshibangu was released under a presidential pardon by Félix Tshisekedi, promoted in rank, and appointed commander of the 21st Military Region in Kasai Oriental.

However, his arrest comes amid an ongoing crackdown within the Congolese army, where several senior officers have been detained for unclear reasons.

President Tshisekedi’s administration has stated that it will not tolerate any attempts to undermine democratic institutions or engage in activities that threaten national stability.