DR Congo: 25 Soldiers Sentenced To Death for Fleeing Fighting Rebels

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 25 soldiers to death for fleeing the battlefield as the army fights against M23 rebels in the eastern region.

The soldiers were found guilty of theft, desertion, and disobeying orders, among other charges.

The one-day trial took place in North Kivu, where the army has been battling the Rwanda-backed M23 insurgency for over two years.

The soldiers were arrested on Tuesday and brought before the court the next day.

The verdict comes as the DRC’s army faces criticism for its handling of the conflict, with reports of low morale and inadequate equipment among soldiers.

The United Nations estimates that 2.8 million people have been displaced in North Kivu province due to the fighting.

The DRC recently lifted a moratorium on the death penalty, citing the need to address treachery and espionage in the ongoing conflict.

The soldiers’ lawyer has announced plans to appeal the verdict.