In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, more precisely in Mambasa, an alarming observation has recently come to light: the region’s peace court is facing serious difficulties due to a shortage of judges. According to Mr. Jospin Paluku, coordinator of the New Congolese Civil Society of Mambasa, this situation has been going on for almost a year, making it impossible to organize criminal hearings.
The glaring lack of judges in the peace court is a major obstacle to the exercise of justice in this vast region of Ituri. Indeed, the functioning of the judicial system is seriously impacted, particularly with regard to prison overcrowding and the extension of pretrial detention periods. In the absence of a sufficient number of magistrates, criminal hearings cannot be conducted in accordance with established rules.
It therefore appears that the current situation is causing a series of harmful consequences for the region’s judicial system. Not only is the right to a fair trial compromised for many individuals, but also the overcrowding of prisons leads to worrying conditions of detention.
It is imperative that adequate measures be taken to address this judicial crisis. A reinforcement of the number of judges seems to be an urgent necessity to ensure the proper functioning of the Mambasa Peace Court. It is a matter of protecting the fundamental rights of citizens and the integrity of the judicial system in this region of the DRC.
In conclusion, the precarious situation of the Mambasa Peace Court highlights the persistent challenges facing the justice sector in the DRC. It is essential that the competent authorities take concrete measures to ensure access to fair justice for all citizens, by ensuring that magistrates have the necessary resources to carry out their mission effectively and impartially.