A military court in Beni, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has convicted 23 individuals for collaborating with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group linked to the Islamic State, marking a significant step in the country’s fight against terrorism.
The verdict, delivered on Monday evening by the Beni Garrison Military Court after two weeks of intense hearings, handed down prison terms ranging from five to 20 years of penal servitude. The convicted persons were found guilty of participating in an insurrectionary movement, criminal conspiracy, and financing or executing acts of terrorism.
Presiding judge Lieutenant Colonel Nyembo said the court acted “in application of Article 7 of the military criminal code,” emphasizing the gravity of the crimes and the judiciary’s determination to confront terrorism in the troubled region.
Civil society groups in Beni welcomed the ruling as a sign of progress toward accountability and justice, though defence lawyers have already announced plans to appeal.
Defence counsel Maître Paluku confirmed his clients would challenge aspects of the verdict. “Where we find irregularities, we will appeal.
“The law provides for two degrees of jurisdiction, and we intend to exercise that right,” he said.
The harshest sentence was 20 years of penal servitude was imposed on Judison Kasereka Katrisa for his role in financing and facilitating terrorist activities.
Local civil society leader Pépin Kavitha, president of Beni’s civil society coalition, praised the outcome but urged authorities to ensure all other suspects face trial in Beni.
“We welcome this conviction. It will serve as an example to others.
“Those arrested elsewhere should also be brought here to stand trial,” he said.
The ruling comes against the backdrop of worsening insecurity in eastern DRC. In early September, ADF rebels reportedly killed around 100 people in Ntoyo, North Kivu, during an attack on mourners at a funeral of another reminder of the group’s enduring brutality.
The provinces of Ituri and North Kivu remain at the epicentre of the ADF’s violent campaign, with communities enduring years of displacement, killings, and economic collapse.
While the convictions send a strong signal of deterrence, observers note that lasting peace will depend on sustained security operations, regional cooperation, and judicial consistency.
For many in Beni, the court’s verdict represents not just punishment, but a glimmer of hope that justice can still prevail in a region long scarred by violence and impunity.
