In April and September 2022, King Mwamisyo Ndungo and Elias Bizimungu – two young human rights activists and members of Lutte pour le Changement – were arbitrarily arrested and later sentenced to five years in prison by a military court in Goma, solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. On 29 May 2023, Elias Bizimungu was released following an acquittal. On 27 January 2025, King Mwamisyo Ndungo was freed from prison. His release followed a mass prison escape during the January 2025 takeover of Goma by the Movement of 23 March (M23) armed group.
