DRC Trains 2,500 New Magistrates, Emphasizes Integrity and Rule of Law

Kinshasa, February 23, 2026 - The Democratic Republic of Congo has completed the initial training of 2,500 new magistrates, the second wave of appointees under a presidential decree from March 28, 2025. The training, conducted from November 2025 to February 2026, focused on ethics, professional conduct, and technical competence for both civilian and military magistrates. Dieudonné Kamuleta Badibanga, President of the High Council of the Judiciary (CSM) and the Constitutional Court, urged the new magistrates to “resist pressure of all kinds, refuse unethical concessions, and remain steadfast in the face of corruption.” He stressed that true greatness is measured by integrity, conscience, and sense of justice, not rank or power. Kamuleta emphasized that magistrates are servants of the Republic, entrusted with upholding the Constitution and safeguarding fundamental freedoms. He described the robes worn by magistrates as symbols of responsibility, not privilege, reminding them of their duty to the Congolese people. Minister of Justice Guillaume Ngefa highlighted that this new cohort strengthens the judiciary, ensures adequate numbers for effective law enforcement, and supports the rule of law, judicial reform, and anti-impunity efforts. The program included 86 instructors across 31 modules, conducted in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi (Haut-Katanga). This latest recruitment brings the total number of magistrates appointed since 2022 to 5,000, addressing a previous shortage of approximately 3,000 magistrates. The initiative aims to improve access to justice for over 100 million Congolese citizens, modernize the judiciary, and enhance ethical and professional standards.