A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 13 soldiers to death for charges including murder, looting, and cowardice, as part of a broader effort to restore discipline within the army following territorial losses due to desertion.
The sentencing took place on Tuesday in Lubero, a town in the eastern North Kivu province, where Congolese forces have been engaged in ongoing battles against the M23 insurgency, which is supported by Rwanda, alongside other militia violence.
Fighting in the Lubero region has intensified, with instances of soldiers fleeing their posts contributing to enemy advances, according to local army spokesperson Mak Hazukay. “Some soldiers who should be fighting on the frontlines have displayed indiscipline,” Hazukay stated. “We had to conduct this trial as an educational measure to correct these actions.”
In total, 24 soldiers were tried. In addition to the 13 death sentences, four soldiers received prison terms ranging from 2 to 10 years, six were acquitted, and one case was postponed for further investigation.
Military prosecutor Kabala Kabundi explained that the trials were intended to rebuild trust between the military and the local population. All convicted soldiers denied the charges and have five days to appeal their sentences. A defense lawyer confirmed intentions to appeal.
