Twenty-five soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s army have been sentenced to death for fleeing battles against M23 rebels in the conflict-ridden eastern part of the country.
The military tribunal also found them guilty of theft, as they looted goods from shops in a nearby village after abandoning their posts, according to an army spokesperson.
The soldiers’ wives were involved in the case as well, with four of them acquitted by the military court of receiving stolen goods from their husbands.
This verdict comes after the Congolese government lifted a moratorium on the death penalty in March, which had been in place for more than two decades.
The decision was driven by the need, as cited by the justice minister, to purge “traitors” from the army.
Among the condemned soldiers were two captains. Their lawyer has announced plans to appeal the sentence, which was handed down on Wednesday in North Kivu province.
Alongside the death penalties, one soldier received a 10-year prison term, and another was acquitted.
This follows a similar sentencing in May, where eight soldiers in Goma were sentenced to death for “desertion” and “cowardice” during combat with rebel forces. They, too, are appealing their sentences.
Recent days have seen the M23 rebels seize several towns, including the strategic Kanyabayonga. Rwanda faces accusations of supporting the M23, but the Rwandan government denies these claims.
The UN has expressed deep concern over the situation in North Kivu, where over 150,000 civilians have fled their homes in the past week alone, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis affecting 2.8 million displaced people in the region.
North Kivu remains perilous for humanitarian workers, highlighted by the recent killing of two aid workers with Tearfund in Butembo.
The Congolese army’s efforts against M23 and other rebel groups are hindered by internal disarray, with soldiers citing issues such as inadequate pay and lack of equipment.
Despite support from the UN and regional troops, violence persists.
M23, formed in 2012, claims to defend the Tutsi population in eastern DR Congo against persecution and discrimination, although Rwanda’s involvement is contested.
UN experts, as well as France and the US, allege that M23 receives backing from President Paul Kagame’s government, despite Rwanda’s official denials.
Source-BBC
