The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has summoned dozens of senior military commanders to explain recent battlefield defeats against the M23 rebel group in the country’s troubled eastern region.
According to military officials, 41 officers — including 35 generals and six colonels — have been called before the General Inspectorate of the Armed Forces to account for the failures that have plagued government forces since the fall of Bunagana, a strategic border town captured by M23 in June 2022.
Army spokesperson Major General Sylvain Ekenge said the hearings are meant to determine responsibility for the losses that have weakened the military’s command structure and raised questions about leadership within the ranks.
The summons comes as clashes continue between government troops and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who have taken control of major territories, heightening regional and international concern.
Kinshasa’s move is seen as part of a wider effort to restore discipline, rebuild confidence among its forces, and reassure both regional partners and international mediators pushing for a lasting ceasefire.
By holding senior officers accountable, the government hopes to address internal divisions within the army and strengthen its position in ongoing peace efforts.
