DR Congo Sentences 13 Soldiers to Death in a Bid to Restore Military Discipline
Thirteen soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been sentenced to death for a range of offenses, including murder, looting, and cowardice, according to local authorities and a Reuters report.
The sentences, handed down by a military court in the North Kivu province, come at a time of ongoing conflict in the eastern regions of the country, where government troops are battling rebel groups. The military has struggled to maintain discipline within its ranks, as it faces constant violence from insurgents.
Army spokesman Mak Hazukay explained the need for the “pedagogical process” to address the issue of indiscipline, which he said had allowed rebels to gain territorial gains.
“We had some soldiers who, instead of fighting the enemy, showed a kind of indiscipline. We had to organize this process to get things back on track” Hazukay said.
Of the 24 soldiers who faced trial, four were sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to ten years, six were acquitted, and one case remains under investigation.
Military prosecutor Kabala Kabundi emphasized that the trials aimed to “contribute to the restoration of trust between the military and the population.” He noted that the convicted soldiers had not pleaded not guilty and have five days to appeal their sentences.
This is not the first time the DRC military has handed down harsh sentences. In July last year, a military court in Butembo sentenced 25 soldiers to death for desertion during clashes with rebels, and later, 22 soldiers were sentenced to death for fleeing the battlefield in North Kivu and six more for a separate offense.
The DRC allows the death penalty, although a de facto moratorium on executions had been in place since 2003. The government lifted the moratorium in March 2024, leading to an increase in death sentences, particularly for military personnel.
Human rights groups have criticized the reintroduction of the death penalty, particularly its application to military personnel. Critics argue that this approach does not address the deeper issues within the military, such as poor training, lack of resources, and corruption. Instead, they call for reforms to strengthen the effectiveness of the military.