Gen Tshiwewe was arrested in early July 2025, seven months after serving as military advisor to President Félix Tshisekedi. He had been appointed to that position following his removal as Chief of Staff in December 2024.

He was detained alongside Gen Maj Maurice Nyembo, his former chief of staff, and several other officers, including Lt Col Adelart Mwiza, who was responsible for his personal security. The reasons for their arrest were not initially disclosed.

When Gen Tshiwewe was brought before the court, the military prosecution, led by Lt Gen Lucien René Likulia Bakumi, confirmed that his case file includes eight other senior officers and one civilian, Pascal Nyembo Muyumba.

The co-accused officers include Gen John Numbi; Brig Gen Chinyabuuma Pascal Kamukinde, both currently in exile; Gen Maj Nyembo; Brig Gen John Ngoy Kabila; Brig Gen John Sangwa Muhemedi; Col Guy Mukombozi Zahinda; Col Pathy Sangwa Lumbu; and Col Christophe Tshibangu Kenge.

The prosecution alleges that Gen Tshiwewe, alongside the senior officers and the civilian suspect, was involved in a coordinated plan to overthrow President Félix Tshisekedi’s government. The charges include treason, incitement of soldiers to disobey lawful orders, and illegal possession of firearms.

According to the prosecution, the alleged plot to remove President Tshisekedi from power was developed between 2020 and July 2025, when the suspects were arrested.

Gen Tshiwewe is said to have been recruited into the alleged scheme by Gen Maj Maurice Nyembo, a close associate since 2018. The two are reported to have held frequent nighttime meetings, allegedly attended by other FARDC officers opposed to the current administration.

As the alleged plan evolved, Gen Tshiwewe is accused of relying on several senior officers, including one Brigadier General and two Colonels, to advance its objectives.

On July 9, 2025, security forces searched Gen Tshiwewe’s residence in the Gombe commune of Kinshasa, where they reportedly discovered a significant cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, RPG launchers, PKM machine guns, more than 4,300 rounds of ammunition, and grenades.

The prosecution argues that the quantity and nature of the weapons indicate they were not intended for personal protection, but were instead linked to the alleged plan to overthrow the government.

Pascal Nyembo, who is currently in exile, is accused of coordinating the alleged network, issuing instructions to participants, and providing financial support.

Gen John Numbi, a former Inspector General of the FARDC and former national police chief, is accused of inciting soldiers and police officers to disobey President Tshisekedi and support efforts to remove him from power, including through the use of social media platforms.

The prosecution further alleges that Gen Numbi recruited Brig Gen Sangwa into the scheme and provided substantial funding for its execution, including a reported USD 842,320 transferred to Gen Maj Nyembo’s account.

Regarding Brig Gen John Ngoy Kabila, prosecutors state that he acted as a liaison between networks linked to former President Joseph Kabila, who led the DRC from 2001 to 2019, and individuals allegedly involved in the plot.

The case further alleges that Brig Gen Ngoy received instructions from Pascal Nyembo to assist senior officers, including Lt Gen Philémon Yav Irung, Gen Zelwa Katanga, and former senior police officer Christian Kenga Kenga, in escaping detention so they could join the alleged network.

Brig Gen Ngoy is also accused of participating in discussions in which he allegedly expressed sympathy for Joseph Kabila and supported the idea of overthrowing the government, drawing parallels with the 2021 coup in Guinea-Conakry.