By Enyichukwu Enemanna
At least 25 Democratic Republic of Congo soldiers have been sentenced to death for desertion, after they fled war front against the armed M23 rebels group.
The soldiers were also convicted of theft by a military tribunal as they were alleged to have stolen goods from shops in a nearby village after abandoning their positions, an army spokesman said.
Four of the soldiers’ wives were acquitted by the military court of receiving goods looted by their husbands.
In March, the government lifted a moratorium, in place for more than 20 years, on the death penalty being carried out after the justice minister cited the need to remove “traitors” from the army.
A lawyer for the soldiers, two of whom were captains, said he would appeal against the sentence, which was handed down on Wednesday by the military tribunal in DR Congo’s North Kivu province.
In addition to the 25 who received death sentences, one soldier was given a 10-year prison sentence and another was acquitted.
In May, a military court in the city of Goma sentenced eight soldiers to death for “desertion” and “cowardice” when fighting rebel forces. They too, are appealing against their sentences.
The M23 rebels have over the last few days captured several towns, including the strategic town of Kanyabayonga.
Neighbouring Rwanda is widely accused of backing the M23, but the government in Kigali denies it.
