DRC Soldier Sentenced to 20 Years of Community Service for Battlefield Videos

Ituri, January 23, 2026 - The Ituri Military Court has sentenced Captain Buba Ambwa Jean Denis, a DRC army officer, to 20 years of community service and dismissal from the military for filming and sharing videos on the battlefield. Captain Ambwa, who commanded troops on Lake Albert, filmed his soldiers on October 8, 2025, while traveling by speedboat to the Nyamamba area to confront the CRP rebel group, founded by Thomas Lubanga. He posted the videos on social media, in defiance of orders prohibiting battlefield recordings. The military court ruled on January 21, 2026, that Ambwa disobeyed direct orders from his superiors, justifying the sentence. “The posting of battlefield videos violated operational security and the chain of command,” military authorities stated. Ambwa’s lawyers expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and immediately filed an appeal, challenging the court’s decision. The case has sparked debate within military circles about the use of social media by soldiers and the enforcement of operational discipline in active conflict zones.

Faits rapportés

Ituri, January 23, 2026 - The Ituri Military Court has sentenced Captain Buba Ambwa Jean Denis, a DRC army officer, to 20 years of community service and dismissal from the military for filming and sharing videos on the battlefield. Captain Ambwa, who commanded troops on Lake Albert, filmed his soldiers on October 8, 2025, while traveling by speedboat to the Nyamamba area to confront the CRP rebel group, founded by Thomas Lubanga. He posted the videos on social media, in defiance of orders prohibiting battlefield recordings. The military court ruled on January 21, 2026, that Ambwa disobeyed direct orders from his superiors, justifying the sentence. “The posting of battlefield videos violated operational security and the chain of command,” military authorities stated. Ambwa’s lawyers expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and immediately filed an appeal, challenging the court’s decision. The case has sparked debate within military circles about the use of social media by soldiers and the enforcement of operational discipline in active conflict zones.