DRC Tshisekedi Pumps “Fresh Blood” into Army Leadership

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, on Tuesday replaced the army chief of staff, Célestin Mbala Musense with Christian Tshiwewe Songhesha, a former commander of the Republican Guard.

Officials of the central African nation add, Jerome Chico Tshitambwe, who comes from the same unit as Songhesha, is the new deputy chief of staff in charge of operations.

“Almost the entire staff has been replaced by young officers,” said President Tshisekedi’s Director of Communications, Giscard Kusema, adding, “Several are from the Republican Guard, but not all, and that’s because they have proven themselves.”

Tshisekedi’s Director of Communications further says the central African nation has satisfied calls for the establishment of a military programming law that would grant the army financial autonomy and further stressed that the new appointments are part of a broader framework to reform the military.

“For years all the experts have been asking for a military programming law that gives more financial autonomy to the army and flexibility in procedures,” said Kusema.