Home News 25 Soldiers Sentenced To Death In DR Congo For ‘Fleeing The Enemy’
News

25 Soldiers Sentenced To Death In DR Congo For ‘Fleeing The Enemy’

222
Cobalt Mine: The Cause of Silent Genocide in DR Congo

A military court in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 25 soldiers to death for several offences, including ‘fleeing the enemy’.

A total of 31 defendants, including 27 soldiers and four of their civilian wives, were tried before the Butembo garrison military court for charges including fleeing the enemy, dissipating munitions of war, violating orders and theft.

According to Jules Muvweko, one of the defence lawyers, the other accused soldiers and the four women were acquitted for lack of evidence. He noted that the convicted soldiers intended to appeal.

The mineral-rich DR Congo has been plagued by fighting between both local and foreign-based armed groups for over 30 years since the regional wars of the 1990s.

Last March, the Congolese government lifted the moratorium on the death penalty, which had been in force since 2003 in the country. This was considered a target on soldiers accused of treason as more armed rebellions sprung up in the east.

In early May, eight Congolese soldiers, including five officers, were reportedly sentenced to death in Goma for “cowardice” and “fleeing the enemy”.

There are already 2.8 million displaced people in North Kivu, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Read more: How Your Air Fryer May Be Exposing You To Cancer, Other Health Risks

About The Author

Related Articles

Interior Minister, Tunji-Ojo
News

FG Declares December 25, 26, and January 1 as Public Holidays

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced public holidays on Wednesday, December...

Mali suspends TV5 Monde
News

Mali Government Gains Control Over Key Agricultural and Development Bank

Malian government has acquired majority stake of the National Agricultural Development Bank...

Enugu 2025 Budget
FinanceNews

2025 Budget: Enugu Govt. Plans to Spend ₦10 Billion on CCTV Cameras, ₦5 Billion on Vehicles

The Enugu State Government has planned to spend ₦10 billion in 2025...