Two Congolese soldiers were sentenced to death today for “cowardice” and “fleeing the enemy” following a military trial in Lubero.
This comes just two days after a similar sentence was imposed on 25 soldiers in the eastern province of North Kivu.
The trials coincide with renewed aggression from the M23 rebel group, which the DRC government accuses Rwanda of supporting.
Last week, the rebels seized new territory in the ongoing conflict that has plagued North Kivu for over two and a half years. Kigali has consistently denied backing the M23.
Authorities claim these public hearings serve as a deterrent to prevent soldiers from abandoning their posts.
Captain Melissa Kahambu Muhasa, representing the prosecution, emphasized the “deterrent and educational” nature of the trials.
The Butembo garrison military court began public hearings on Thursday, trying over 30 soldiers, including several captains, for various offenses including desertion, theft, and disobeying orders.
On Friday, the court delivered two death sentences, one to a corporal and another to a second-class soldier. The remaining cases will be reviewed on Saturday.
Defense lawyers have condemned the sentences and expressed their intention to appeal, mirroring the response to the 25 death sentences handed down in Alimbongo on Wednesday.
This follows a similar case in May, where eight soldiers in Goma were sentenced to death for fleeing the enemy.
The reinstatement of the death penalty in March 2024 specifically targeted acts of treason committed by soldiers amidst the ongoing armed rebellion in the eastern DRC.
However, the recent string of death sentences for desertion has sparked concerns about human rights and the effectiveness of such a harsh punishment in deterring soldiers.
