Uvira, September 16th 2025 (CPA).-The inhumane treatment imposed on soldiers forcibly recruited by the ‘M23’ group after the ‘brutal’ capture of Goma and Bukavu, two provincial capitals in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been denounced on Tuesday by the army in a statement. « The inhumane treatments have been inflicted on soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Wazalendo who were surrendered after the brutal capture of the city of Goma by the M23 and the Rwandan army.
According to the testimonies gathered, notably that of Sergeant Kabongo, who has successfully escaped at the beginning of August, these soldiers are enduring degrading conditions at the Rumangabo centre, » has denounced Second Lieutenant Reagan Mbuyi Kalonji, spokesperson for the Sukola 2 Sud-Kivu operational sector.
He has specified that these soldiers, who were in good health when the occupied cities were fell, have suffered from malnutrition, physical and psychological torture, and humiliating treatment, leaving them unrecognisable and resembling sick children. « According to the information obtained, more than 2,500 FARDC soldiers, including female PMF soldiers, had lost their lives due to deprivation of care and food, the majority of whom were soldiers who speak Lingala.
This tragic situation constitutes a serious crime and a clear violation of international humanitarian law (IHL), which protects prisoners of war from such treatment, » has explained Second Lieutenant Mbuyi, quoting Sergeant Kabongo. He has noted that these inhumane acts must be documented and denounced so that justice can be served and those responsible can be held accountable before the competent authorities. The Congolese government is negotiating in Doha, Qatar, with the Rwandan-backed AFC-M23 group on the terms for the exchange of prisoners of war held by each belligerent.