Congo tries to improve discipline by putting 13 soldiers to death

In what military officials claimed was an effort to strengthen army discipline following territorial losses brought on by soldiers escaping, a Congolese military tribunal sentenced 13 soldiers to death on charges of murder, looting, and cowardice.

In the eastern North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Congolese forces have been battling the Rwanda-backed M23 insurgency for almost three years and dealing with other militia violence, the soldiers were condemned on Tuesday in the town of Lubero.

According to local army spokeswoman Mak Hazukay, fighting has erupted in Lubero region, and instances of soldiers deserting their posts have aided the enemy’s advance.

“Some of the soldiers who are supposed to be fighting the enemy at the front have shown a kind of indiscipline,” he stated. “We had to organize this educational trial to set things right.”

Twenty-four soldiers in all were put on trial. Six were acquitted, one’s case was deferred for additional investigation, and four others received terms ranging from two to ten years in addition to the death penalty.

According to military prosecutor Kabala Kabundi, the purpose of the proceedings was “to help restore trust between the military and the population,” as he told Reuters.

According to Kabundi, all condemned individuals entered not guilty pleas and have five days to challenge their sentences. One of the defendants’ attorneys stated that they will file an appeal.