FARDC Confirms Kenge Crash Deaths: Generals Mutombo, Likulia Perish

• Two high-ranking FARDC generals, Joseph Mutombo and Lucien-René Likulia, died in a plane crash in Kenge, Kwango province, on September 25.
• Lieutenant-General Mutombo was the First President of the High Military Court, and Lieutenant-General Likulia was the Auditor General of the FARDC near the High Military Court.
• The crash, involving a Tracep company aircraft, also claimed the lives of twelve other delegation members and the crew, while returning from a mission in Kikwit.
• The plane encountered problems over Kenge, with the pilot attempting to find a landing spot before crashing into a plot of land.
• The FARDC has launched investigations to determine the precise circumstances and exact causes of the accident.

The sudden passing of Lieutenant-General Joseph Mutombo and Lieutenant-General Lucien-René Likulia represents a significant and immediate leadership vacuum within the Democratic Republic of Congo's military justice system.

On Friday, September 25, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) confirmed the deaths of two high-ranking general officers in an aircraft crash near Kenge, the capital of Kwango province. The deceased were identified as Lieutenant-General Joseph Mutombo, who served as the First President of the High Military Court, and Lieutenant-General Lucien-René Likulia, the Auditor General of the FARDC attached to the High Military Court. This somber announcement was made via a communiqué signed by Major-General Sylvain Ekenge, who was the army's spokesperson at the time of the announcement but was suspended from his duties on December 29, 2025.

The two distinguished generals were reportedly on their return journey from a service mission conducted in Kikwit, located in Kwilu province, when the tragic Kenge crash occurred. In addition to these two prominent figures, the FARDC statement indicated that twelve other members of the delegation, alongside the aircraft's crew, also perished in the accident. While initial reports from provincial authorities on Friday had cited a total of 13 fatalities aboard the aircraft, the process of victim identification and establishing a definitive count was still underway in the immediate hours following the incident.

The sudden passing of Lieutenant-General Joseph Mutombo and Lieutenant-General Lucien-René Likulia represents a significant and immediate leadership vacuum within the Democratic Republic of Congo's military justice system. Lieutenant-General Mutombo, as the First President of the Haute Cour militaire, held a pivotal role in overseeing the highest judicial body for military personnel, responsible for interpreting military law and ensuring justice within the armed forces. His extensive experience and authority were central to the court's operations and its standing.

Similarly, Lieutenant-General Likulia, in his capacity as the Auditor General of the FARDC near the High Military Court, played a crucial part in the investigative and prosecutorial aspects of military justice. His office was instrumental in preparing cases for the High Military Court, ensuring due process, and upholding legal standards within the FARDC. The simultaneous loss of both these key figures, who were integral to the functioning and integrity of the military judiciary, is expected to have profound implications for the continuity and direction of ongoing legal proceedings and the overall administration of military justice in the DRC.

The ill-fated aircraft, a small carrier operated by Tracep company, whose operations were suspended nationwide following the crash, was undertaking a scheduled flight from Kikwit to Kinshasa when it encountered difficulties. According to Rémy Saki, the Vice-Governor of Kwango, who was cited by Radio Okapi, the plane experienced a problem while it was flying over Kenge. The pilot reportedly made several attempts to find a suitable landing spot, circling above the city before the aircraft ultimately crashed into a plot of land within the Manzau district of Kenge.

Further details provided by Noël Kuketuka Mbemba, the Mayor of Kenge, indicated that the flight departed Kikwit around 1:50 PM and crashed approximately fifteen minutes later. Fortunately, initial information available did not report any casualties among residents on the ground where the plane came down. The FARDC has officially announced the initiation of comprehensive investigations into the Kenge accident. These inquiries aim to meticulously determine the precise circumstances surrounding the DRC military plane crash and ascertain its exact causes, ensuring a thorough understanding of this tragic event.

The tragic death of the First President and Auditor General of the High Military Court creates a significant leadership vacuum within the DRC's military justice system. Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the announced investigations for potential implications on military aviation regulations, liability, and anticipate possible delays or changes in the handling of ongoing cases before the Haute Cour militaire.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Okapi and FARDC communiqué