The trial of six soldiers from the Congolese Republican Guard, accused of the deadly repression of an anti-UN demonstration in Goma, concluded with expected verdicts. One officer was sentenced to death, three others received ten years in prison, while two soldiers were acquitted. Lawyers for the convicts have announced their intention to appeal.
This trial, which began on September 5, focused on the events of August 30 in Goma, where a demonstration organized by a religious sect degenerated into violence, causing the death of at least 50 people. Republican Guard soldiers were accused of opening fire on unarmed demonstrators.
The verdict sparked mixed reactions. While some welcome the holding of a fair trial and the search for justice, others believe that the real responsible are not those who are judged. Indeed, the investigation did not make it possible to answer all the questions about the exact circumstances of the killing.
The Congolese government quickly announced arrests of soldiers and promised that justice would be done. However, testimony presented during the trial raises doubts about the military’s motivations and the orders they received. Some witnesses claim that the operation was launched even before the death of a police officer, while others claim that negotiations were underway before the soldiers attacked.
The question now is whether Colonel Mikombe, considered the main accused, gave the order to shoot and whether he did so on his own initiative or following orders. The accused said he was misled by an “operational order” presenting the demonstrators as allies of rebel groups present in the region. He also requests that the military governor of North Kivu be heard by the court, in order to clarify certain elements of the case.
This trial follows a series of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region plagued by armed conflicts and rebellions. Holding a public and fair trial is an important step in the fight against impunity and the search for justice for the victims of this violence.
It now remains to be seen whether this appeal will be accepted by the court and whether new information can be provided during a second trial. In any case, this case highlights the importance of the independence of justice and respect for human rights, as well as the need for transparency in investigations into violence committed by security forces.