Article: FARDC soldier sentenced to life for murder in Bukavu
Bukavu, January 9 – In a case that shocked the population of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a first class soldier of the special unit of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) was sentenced to life sentence for murder. The Bukavu garrison court delivered its verdict last Tuesday, finding Lukusa Kabeya Gaby guilty of the murder of a young man named Iragi Saweka Rigo.
The facts date back to the night of Thursday January 4, in the locality of Mululu, in the Miti group. According to information provided by the ACP, Lukusa Kabeya Gaby was found guilty of the murder of the victim and was also ordered to pay a sum of USD 30,000 in damages.
The garrison military court also upheld the offense of violation of instructions against the soldier. Despite the defense’s argument pleading in favor of mitigating circumstances due to the lack of experience of the soldier and the attack suffered by the victim, the investigation highlighted the cruelty of the act, thus rejecting the argument of defense.
This judgment was greeted with relief by Cirimwami Kwigoba, head of the Miti group, who sees this decision as a lesson for other undisciplined soldiers. The conviction of Lukusa Kabeya Gaby demonstrates the authorities’ desire to put an end to the impunity of the security forces and guarantee the protection of citizens.
It is important to remember that this type of conviction sends a strong signal to the entire population, showing that no one is above the law, even within the armed forces. Justice must be delivered fairly and impartially, regardless of the status of the accused.
This affair is also an opportunity to highlight the need to strengthen training and discipline within the Congolese armed forces. Better supervision of soldiers and awareness of the importance of respecting human rights and safety instructions are necessary to avoid such tragedies in the future.
In conclusion, the conviction of Lukusa Kabeya Gaby for life imprisonment is a step in the right direction for justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It underlines the importance of fighting impunity within the armed forces and strengthens the population’s confidence in the judicial system. However, much remains to be done to improve discipline and respect for human rights within these forces.