The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) has donated modern computer equipment to the Military Justice House in Bunia, Ituri Province.
The project aims to establish an electronic document management system to digitize judicial files, secure data, prevent losses, and strengthen the military justice system in a region plagued by conflict.
The move highlights the resource constraints facing the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), which critics say have worsened under President Felix Tshisekedi.
The September 17 donation includes computers, printers, and other tools to improve case management and archiving for military justice in Bunia, Beni (North Kivu), and Kinshasa.
According to MONUSCO’s Justice Support Section, the equipment will boost efficiency, transparency, and security of judicial procedures, particularly under the state of siege in Ituri and North Kivu, where military courts handle civil cases.
Colonel-Magistrate Guy Nyembo, president of the Beni garrison military tribunal, welcomed the support, noting it replaces outdated equipment and will help with printed materials and summons.
The FARDC has long struggled with poor infrastructure, outdated technology, and insufficient funding, hampering its ability to manage cases effectively.
Despite Congo’s vast mineral wealth, the army remains underfunded, with soldiers often lacking basic equipment, training, and logistical support.
This dependence on MONUSCO for operational and technical assistance is evident in both the recent donation and joint military operations in Ituri such as the “Spider Web” campaign against armed groups like CODECO.
Critics argue Tshisekedi’s administration has not prioritized military modernization, diverting resources to political projects while leaving the FARDC ill-prepared to address insecurity in eastern Congo.
Analysts point to corruption and mismanagement as key factors undermining the army’s effectiveness. The 2021 state of siege in Ituri and North Kivu has further strained the military justice system, which struggles to handle its increased caseload without external help.
Beyond equipment donations, MONUSCO has trained FARDC personnel in IT skills, mortar handling, and jungle warfare to strengthen operations.
A $50,000 project to build a training room for military magistrates in Bunia aims to improve the judicial sector in a region marked by human rights violations and conflict.
These efforts underscore MONUSCO’s critical role in compensating for FARDC’s weaknesses but raise questions about sustainability as the mission prepares for a phased withdrawal.
Local voices appreciate MONUSCO’s support but express frustration at the government’s failure to adequately equip its own forces. “The presence of MONUSCO and FARDC provides a sense of protection, but our army should be stronger,” said Richard Ruganda, prefect of Saint Apolo Institute in Boga, during a recent civil-military event.
MONUSCO’s donation is a small but important step toward modernizing judicial processes. It also highlights the broader challenge for Tshisekedi’s government to address the FARDC’s resource shortages and systemic issues to strengthen national security.
