Twenty-five soldiers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s army have been sentenced to death after escaping fighting against the renowned M23 rebels in the country’s conflict-torn east.
A military trial also found the soldiers guilty of theft for stealing products from businesses in a nearby village after departing their positions, according to an army official.
The military court acquitted four of the soldiers’ wives of receiving looted property from their husbands.
In March, the government overturned a more than 20-year ban on the death penalty after the justice minister highlighted the necessity to remove “traitors” from the army.
A lawyer for the soldiers, two of whom were captains, said he will appeal the sentence imposed on Wednesday by the military tribunal in DR Congo’s North Kivu province.
In addition to the 25 soldiers sentenced to death, one was sentenced to ten years in jail, and another was acquitted.
In May, a military court in Goma sentenced eight troops to death for “desertion” and “cowardice” while battling rebels.
They, too, are appealing their sentences. Over the past few days, the M23 rebels have taken control of several towns, including the strategically important Kanyabayonga.
Rwanda is often suspected of supporting the M23, but the government in Kigali disputes this.
The UN has stated that the current situation in North Kivu is “particularly concerning.”.
According to the report, over 150,000 citizens have fled their homes in the last week, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis in an area already displaced by 2.8 million people.
The UN also described North Kivu as “perilous” for aid personnel.
On Sunday, two Tearfund humanitarian workers were slain when their convoy was attacked in Butembo.
The army’s struggle against the M23 and other eastern insurgent groups has long been impeded by internal divisions.
The army is viewed as unprofessional and poorly disciplined. Soldiers complain about low pay and a lack of equipment.
The UN and regional powers have soldiers in DR Congo to support the army, but they have been unable to stop the killing.
M23 combatants are believed to be well-armed and disciplined.
The rebel organisation launched operations in 2012, reportedly to safeguard the Tutsi population in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, who had long complained of persecution and discrimination.
Despite Rwanda’s protestations, UN experts, including France and the United States, think President Paul Kagame’s administration supports the M23.
