BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 5 – Two soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been sentenced to death for deserting the battlefield in North Kivu province, a military court announced on Friday. This follows the death sentences of 25 soldiers on Thursday, reflecting the government’s stern stance against desertion amid ongoing conflicts.
The Congolese army has been combating the Rwanda-backed M23 insurgency and other militias in the eastern borderlands for over two years. The conflict intensified last week when M23 rebels captured the strategically important commune of Kanyabayonga.
State magistrate Kahambu Muhasa Melissa stated that the trial serves as a deterrent, making it clear that fleeing the battle exposes soldiers to severe penalties rather than protecting them. This ruling aims to reinforce discipline within the military ranks.
One of the sentenced soldiers, Kakule Mupasula Raphael, was convicted of deserting the front line in Kanyabayonga and murdering an officer’s child. Raphael denied the charges, asserting that many soldiers, including commanders, fled the battle. He plans to appeal the sentence.
The second soldier was found guilty of firing at an ambulance when the driver refused to transport him from the battlefield. He admitted his guilt and requested leniency.
In February, Congo lifted a 20-year moratorium on the death penalty for crimes such as desertion and treason. This decision has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, with Amnesty International warning that it risks executing many innocent people due to the country’s flawed justice system.
