FARDC (Armed Forces of the DRC) soldiers ride in a vehicle in Mirangi, close to the frontline and the town of Kibirizi, controlled by the M23 rebellion, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on May 14, 2024. - Since mid-May, fighting are raging in this area. The Congolese army, supported by hundreds of fighters from local armed groups, is attempting to reconquer areas under the control of the M23 rebels and Rwandan army (RDF) troops, where they have set up a parallel administration. Since late 2021, they have seized large swathes of North Kivu province and routed the Congolese army. The United States and France are urging Rwanda President Paul Kagame to withdraw his troops from Congolese soil, including the surface-to-air missile systems. (Photo by ALEXIS HUGUET / AFP)
In a swift one-day trial, a military court in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo, has sentenced 25 soldiers to death for allegedly fleeing the battlefield while fighting against the M23 rebel group.
The soldiers, including two captains, were accused of deserting their posts during the ongoing conflict in the mineral-rich eastern region.
The trial, which was widely criticized by human rights groups, was convened at the Butembo garrison military court and saw 31 defendants, including 27 soldiers and four civilian wives, face charges of “fleeing the enemy”, dissipating war munitions, violating orders, and theft.
According to defense lawyers, the accused were denied adequate representation and were subjected to a rushed trial with inadequate evidence.
