On this day of October 16, 2024, the military justice of the former Kasai-Occidental delivered a long-awaited verdict in the context of the violence perpetrated by the Kamwina Nsapu militiamen between 2016 and 2017. Three of these militiamen were sentenced to terms of penal servitude, marking a significant step towards ending impunity in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The sentences of 10, 15 and 20 years handed down by the Military Court reflect the seriousness of the acts committed by these individuals during the tragic events that shook the region. These militiamen were accused of participating in an insurrectional movement that sowed terror among the civilian population.
The mobile court hearings that led to this symbolic verdict took place in Kongolo Monji, a locality marked by the ravages of violence perpetrated by the militiamen. The National Fund for Reparation of Victims of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (FONAREV) welcomed this court decision, stressing the importance of ending impunity and providing justice to victims.
The strong message sent by this sentence is clear: the atrocities committed against civilian populations in the DRC will not go unpunished. Myrrhant Mulumba, FONAREV coordinator in Kasaï-Central, insists on the crucial role of justice in recognizing the rights of victims and building a just and humane nation.
Beyond the conviction of the perpetrators, it is essential to think about reparation for victims, both collectively and individually. Identifying victims and implementing reparative measures must be priorities to ensure that the atrocities committed during the events of Kamuina Nsapu are not repeated.
Thus, military justice becomes the ally of victims, offering hope for reparation and reconstruction for a wounded society. By committing to supporting justice in its efforts, FONAREV demonstrates its determination to work for better management of the consequences of violence and for the prevention of new tragedies.
This sentence marks an important step towards restorative and dissuasive justice, sending a strong signal to potential criminals: in the DRC, acts of barbarity will not go unpunished.