** Trial of institutional violence: a reflection on the rule of law in the Democratic Republic of Congo **
On April 4, 2023, the Military Court of Kinshasa-Gombe opened the trial of seven members of the Congolese National Police (PNC), involved in the tragic death of Brigadier Kabeya Senda Fiston. This event, worrying not only by its violent character, but also by the broader implications for governance and justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), deserves to be examined from a larger angle. This incident symbolizes the tensions surrounding abuse of power and impunity within official institutions.
### A troubled context
Far from being an isolated event, the death of Kabeya Senda Fiston echoes a systemic behavior observed in the country, where official processions often seem to benefit from disproportionate protection against any form of legislation or responsibility. The DRC, with a high corruption rate and generalized mistrust towards the authorities, is at a critical crossroads. The abuses of power committed by state agents and the security forces would only be the deterioration of public confidence in public institutions.
Recent figures from the NGO Transparency International indicate that 67% of Congolese believe that corruption is one of the main reasons for the ineffectiveness of the judicial system. In a country where civil and human rights are still fragile, tragic incidents such as it rekindle the debate on legitimacy and mechanisms for controlling security forces.
## Emotional and social implications
The deceased brigadier trial has become a symbol, not only for his family, but also for the families of many Congolese who feel injured or poorly represented by the State. Viral videos showing an anonymous colleague denouncing a “execution” due to the exercise of Kabeya’s function added an emotional weight to an already tragic situation. Such an atmosphere only strengthens the idea that law agents can act with impunity, transforming simple traffic controls into deadly dramas.
Human rights movements, such as those led by Me Carlos Mupili, are essential in this context, because they push not only to justice but also require a solid institutional ethics and an awareness of personal responsibility.
### A reflection on the rule of law
The trial which takes place currently requires revitalizing the question of the rule of law in the DRC. The expectations are high for this trial to open the way to a reform not only of the PNC, but also other legal entities. Just as a tree feeds on its roots, the reform of justice must result from the introspection of the institutions themselves. Just as the law must be applied uniformly, the judicial process must be transparent and free from favoritism.
The questions raised during the first hearing – the formal identification of the defendants and the family’s request for a statement of civil liability by the State – highlight concerns which, if they are not properly discussed, could cause considerable social tensions. Far from simply being an individual drama, this case is a living illustration of systematic struggles against abuse within public institutions.
### Conclusion: Towards a new vision of justice
The DRC lives a pivotal moment which could either harden public distrust, or instill new hope for justice and governance. While the world observes, the responsibility of the judicial actors, symbolized by the judges of the military court, will be crucial to establish a new standard. The need for total transparency and fair justice cannot be underestimated, and the results of this trial could potentially shape the public discourse on the responsibility of the security forces in the months, even the years to come.
The trial of Kabeya Senda Fiston may well be the catalyst for a necessary change. On the historical level, nations often cross phases of questioning the legitimacy of their public force, which result in social movements and calls for reform. In this context, the DRC could, in this sense, write a new page in its judicial and political history, inspired by the lessons learned to forge a fairer and equitable future for all its citizens.