Democratic Republic of Congo soldiers sentenced to death for fleeing M23 rebels

25 soldiers of the Democratic Republic of Congo army have been sentenced to death for fleeing fighting against the notorious M23 rebels in the conflict-ridden east of the country.

The soldiers were also convicted of theft by a military court for stealing goods from shops in a nearby village after leaving their positions, an army spokesman said.

Four soldiers’ wives were acquitted by the military court of the charge of accepting goods looted by their husbands.

In March, the government lifted a moratorium on the death penalty that had been in place for more than 20 years after the justice minister stressed the need to remove “traitors” from the army.

A lawyer for the soldiers, including two captains, said he would appeal the verdict handed down on Wednesday by the military court in North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In addition to the 25 people sentenced to death, one soldier was sentenced to ten years in prison and another was acquitted.

In May, a military court in the city of Goma sentenced eight soldiers to death for “desertion” and “cowardice” in the fight against rebel troops. They have also appealed against their verdicts.

The M23 rebels have captured several towns in recent days, including the strategically important town of Kanyabayonga.

Neighbouring Rwanda is widely accused of supporting the M23, but the government in Kigali denies this.

The UN said the current situation in North Kivu was “particularly worrying”.

More than 150,000 civilians have fled their homes in the past week, it was said, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in a region where 2.8 million people have already been displaced.

North Kivu is also a “dangerous” situation for humanitarian workers, the United Nations added.

On Sunday, two aid workers from the charity Tearfund were killed after their convoy was attacked in the city of Butembo.

The army’s fight against the M23 and other rebel groups in the east has long been hampered by disarray within its own ranks.

The army is considered unprofessional and undisciplined. Soldiers complain about poor pay and inadequate equipment.

Both the UN and regional states have deployed troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo to support the army, but they have failed to stop the violence.

M23 fighters are considered well-armed and disciplined.

The rebel group began its activities in 2012, allegedly with the aim of protecting the Tutsi population in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who had long complained of persecution and discrimination.

Despite Rwanda’s denials, UN experts – as well as France and the USA – believe that the M23 is supported by the government of President Paul Kagame.

Additional reporting by Emery Makumeno in Kinshasa