Over 200 Congolese soldiers handed death sentence for fleeing M23

Over 200 soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have been handed the death sentence by the High Military Court of Bukavu in South Kivu Province for fleeing the battlefield against the M23 rebel group. These soldiers were captured at different times after retreating from combat against M23 in South Kivu. The military prosecution charged them with offenses including desertion, murder, attempted murder, and sexual violence. The court also imposed a $200,000 fine, allocated to the victims of those killed by Congolese soldiers. However, 72 soldiers were acqui

Over 200 soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have been handed the death sentence by the High Military Court of Bukavu in South Kivu Province for fleeing the battlefield against the M23 rebel group. These soldiers were captured at different times after retreating from combat against M23 in South Kivu. The military prosecution charged them with offenses including desertion, murder, attempted murder, and sexual violence. The court also imposed a $200,000 fine, allocated to the victims of those killed by Congolese soldiers. However, 72 soldiers were acquitted after the court found no evidence linking them to any of the alleged crimes. Additionally, 90 other soldiers are currently on trial at the Military Court of Uvira in South Kivu, also facing charges related to desertion. On Friday, M23 announced the capture of the Kavumu region and its surroundings, including the airport.