From 22 to 26 June 2026, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), through its Justice Support Section, organized a five-day training session in Benifor six magistrates and judicial police officers. The initiative aimed to strengthen their skills in the identification, extraction and preservation of electronic evidence.
This activity forms part of MONUSCO’s ongoing efforts to support the strengthening of the rule of law and to address growing challenges related to the handling of offences involving digital evidence. In the context of the rapid evolution of information and communication technologies, judicial systems are facing profound changes in investigations and evidence. A significant proportion of data useful for investigations is now stored on mobile phones, computers, messaging applications, social media platforms, as well as a wide range of digital devices and systems.
At the same time, perpetrators increasingly use these technologies to conceal their illicit activities, making investigative procedures more complex and demanding. In this context, strengthening the capacities of judicial actors, particularly those within the military justice system, is essential. The objective is to enable them to develop technical skills adapted to the identification, collection, analysis, and preservation of electronic evidence, while ensuring strict compliance with legal and procedural standards.
During the training, participants deepened their knowledge of the legal framework applicable to electronic evidence. They were also trained in data acquisition techniques from mobile devices, as well as in the use of specialized tools for documenting, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence admissible before competent courts. Colonel-Magistrate Yoma Mukoko Appolinaire, Deputy to the Military Prosecutor at the Superior Military Audit Office of North Kivu, underscored the importance of the training: “The five days [of training] have been highly beneficial. I would therefore like to sincerely thank the organizers for this relevant training. We learned to use the Autopsy digital forensic software to examine digital media to identify, collect and extract all evidence necessary for establishing the truth. Another important aspect of this training is that even evidence that has been altered or distorted can be reconstructed and extracted.”
He further highlighted the relevance of these newly acquired skills in handling cases related to crimes committed in a complex security environment, particularly by armed groups: “Our work in the military justice system is criminal in nature: we prosecute crimes, especially serious crimes. In this part of the country, as you know, the crime rate is high, with many security incidents caused by the M23, ADF and other armed groups. Today, for example, the ADF are using cybercrime, money laundering and digital means. Therefore, to establish evidence, it is essential to master all these criminal investigation and digital forensic techniques.”
Through such initiatives, MONUSCO reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Congolese authorities in strengthening the institutional and operational capacities of the justice system, with a view to more effectively combating crime in all its forms, including those involving the use of digital technologies.
Jean-Tobie OKALA
