A tragic plane crash occurred in Kenge, located in the Kwango province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on September 25, 2026. The aircraft, an Antonov, was traveling from Kikwit to Kinshasa when it crashed, killing all 13 people on board. The victims included high-ranking military officers, Lieutenant Generals Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi and Joseph Mutombo Katalay Tiende, as well as other members of the delegation.
Lieutenant General Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi was a prominent figure in the Democratic Republic of Congo's military and judicial system. He served as the Auditor General of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) under President Felix Tshisekedi, also known as Mabundi 1er or Fatshi Tshivube. Likulia Bakumi was the son of Norbert Likulia Bolongo, a former Prime Minister and Minister of Defense under President Mobutu Sese Seko.
The crash has raised questions about the safety and maintenance of the Antonov aircraft, as well as the decision to use it for transportation. According to the mission order, a vehicle was listed as the intended mode of transportation, not an airplane. The distance between Kinshasa and Kikwit is approximately 500 kilometers, a 6-7 hour drive.
Lieutenant General Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi was known for his role in the military justice system. On September 30, 2025, he condemned former President Joseph Kabila to death for alleged complicity with the rebel group, Alliance Fleuve Congo-Mouvement du 23 mars (AFC-M23). Kabila's term as president ended in 2019.
The Likulia family has a history of involvement in the military and politics. Norbert Likulia Bolongo, the father of Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi, passed away on June 25, 2026, at the age of 86. He was a prominent figure in the military and judicial system under President Mobutu Sese Seko, serving as Auditor General of the Armed Forces of Zaire (FAZ) from 1971 to 1977.
The plane crash in Kenge has sparked concerns about the safety of high-ranking officials and the military's transportation methods. This incident is not the first of its kind; on September 2, 1975, General Masiala Kinkela died in a helicopter crash in Wombo, a month after judging 41 officers accused of plotting a coup against President Mobutu.
The incident has also raised concerns about the treatment of military officers who speak out against the regime. When a dictatorial regime is losing power, it often turns against its own members. The crash has sparked an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Key points
- 13 people were killed in the plane crash, including high-ranking military officers Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi and Joseph Mutombo Katalay Tiende.
- The crash has raised questions about the safety and maintenance of the Antonov aircraft and the decision to use it for transportation.
- Lieutenant General Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi was a prominent figure in the military and judicial system, serving as Auditor General of the FARDC under President Felix Tshisekedi.
