A military tribunal in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 13 soldiers to death on charges including murder, looting, and cowardice, as part of an effort to strengthen discipline within the armed forces.
The sentencing occurred Tuesday in Lubero, North Kivu province, where Congolese forces have been battling the Rwanda-backed M23 insurgency and other militia groups for nearly three years.
Local army spokesperson Mak Hazukay said instances of soldiers abandoning their positions have allowed enemy forces to advance in Lubero territory.
“Some of the soldiers who are supposed to be fighting the enemy at the front have shown a kind of indiscipline,” Hazukay said. “We had to organize this educational trial to set things right.”
The tribunal tried a total of 24 soldiers. In addition to the 13 death sentences, four soldiers received sentences ranging from two to ten years, six were acquitted, and one case was deferred for further investigation.
The military prosecutor, Kabala Kabundi, said the proceedings aimed to restore trust between the army and local communities.
“The hearings were intended to help rebuild the confidence of the population in their military forces,” Kabundi said.
All convicted soldiers pleaded not guilty and have five days to appeal their sentences. A lawyer representing one of the defendants confirmed they intend to appeal.
The death penalties come amid intensified fighting in North Kivu province, where Congolese forces face both the M23 rebellion and numerous other militia groups in a region plagued by long-standing instability.
