As the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) continue to battle the fierce coalition of AFC/M23 in the eastern part of the country, the military leadership has made a controversial new decision: new recruits joining the FARDC must remain single for seven years, are not allowed to marry, and are forbidden from having children during that period.
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This new regulation was officially announced by the spokesperson of the Congolese Armed Forces, Major General Sylvain Ekenge, on June 3, 2025. He stated that recruits must demonstrate unwavering discipline and prioritize duty over personal interests.
Major Gen. Ekenge said, “A soldier who completes military training must commit to remaining unmarried and childless for seven years. It is a binding obligation based on their contract. If a soldier fails to comply and encounters a problem, their family will not be entitled to any assistance.”
In videos circulating on social media, Lt. Gen. Johnny Luboya, the Military Governor of Ituri Province, bluntly stated that one of the reasons government troops are failing to defeat the M23 is due to poor conduct, negligence, greed for wealth, and other behavioral issues.
Lt. Gen. Luboya also mentioned several critical challenges facing frontline troops, including: the embezzlement of soldiers’ salaries, lack of support for widows and orphans, survivors not being returned home, and declining public trust in government forces.
Regarding widows and orphans, Major General Ekenge stated that assistance is only given to those who meet the required criteria. He emphasized the importance of screening out recruits with bad intentions—those joining the army for money or family benefits rather than to serve their country.
The new law has sparked debate among the public. Some praise it as a step toward restoring discipline and professionalism in the military, while others see it as a discouraging policy that could further demotivate youth interested in military service.
A regional political analyst commented: “It’s a bold but heavy decision. Instead of solving the problem, it may drive youth away from military service, as it delays their personal lives by seven years.”
Some also view the regulation as a human rights concern, arguing that punishing someone for personal life choices unrelated to their professional duties is problematic.
As the DRC continues to search for solutions to the ongoing insecurity and protracted conflicts in the east, it is evident that rebuilding the military’s structure and restoring public trust remains a long journey.
The directive requiring soldiers to abstain from marriage and childbearing for their first seven years of service sends a strong message: “The military is a profession, not a pathway to personal or family gain.”
But will it deliver the intended results or just create new problems within Congo’s military? That remains a question for continued debate in the days ahead.
