A military aircraft bound for Kinshasa from Kikwit suffered a technical malfunction and slammed into the hills of Kenge on Friday, killing all 14 aboard. Major General Efomi Ekenge, the Congolese military’s spokesperson, said the flight carried two lieutenant generals—Mutombo Katalayi Tiende, head of the military court, and Bakumi Likulia, the armed forces’ auditor general—alongside twelve delegation members and crew.
Tryphon Kin‑Kiey Mulumba, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, added that the cause remains unknown and that the authority is coordinating with the military to probe the incident. Investigators will review flight logs and maintenance records, with a preliminary report expected next month.
The crash comes as the army has intensified operations against rebel groups, including the Rwanda‑backed M23, which seized key eastern cities last year, underscoring the vulnerability of military transport amid ongoing conflict.
The loss of two high‑ranking officers could strain the army’s command structure, prompting a review of flight safety protocols and a reevaluation of the military’s logistics strategy.