Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo – In a swift one-day trial on Wednesday, a military court in North Kivu sentenced 25 soldiers to death for fleeing combat against the M23 rebels. The soldiers were found guilty of theft, fleeing the enemy, and violating orders among other charges.
The DRC army has been engaged in a prolonged battle against the Rwanda-backed M23 insurgency in the region for over two years, while also contending with violence from other militias. Army officials had detained 27 soldiers and four of their civilian wives on Tuesday, accusing them of receiving goods stolen from shops in a nearby village.
The accused were brought before the Butembo garrison military court the following day. In addition to the 25 death sentences, one soldier received a 10-year prison sentence for robbery, while the four wives and another soldier were acquitted. All but one of the 25 soldiers denied the charges, and their lawyer has announced plans to appeal the verdict.
In March, the DRC lifted a moratorium on the death penalty, which had been in place since 2003, citing treachery and espionage in recurring armed conflicts as the rationale. This decision reflects the government’s heightened measures in response to the ongoing security crisis in the east, where the army faces significant challenges, including inadequate equipment and low morale.
The United Nations reports that around 2.8 million people have been displaced within North Kivu province due to the ongoing conflict. The M23 rebels have seized large swathes of territory in this mineral-rich region and have recently captured several towns on the northern front, including the strategic town of Kanyabayonga, which is viewed as a gateway to the major commercial centres of Butembo and Beni.
The DRC army’s struggle against the M23 rebels highlights the severe instability and humanitarian crisis plaguing the region, with the military court’s harsh sentences reflecting the government’s desperate measures to maintain control and discipline within its ranks.
