Twenty-five soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s army have been sentenced to death for fleeing battles against M23 rebels in the conflict-ridden eastern region.
They were also found guilty of looting from local shops after abandoning their posts. Despite these convictions, four soldiers’ wives were acquitted of receiving stolen goods.
This harsh sentencing follows the lifting of a long-standing moratorium on the death penalty, aiming to purge “traitors” from the army, according to the justice minister.
Appeals are expected against the verdict, which highlights ongoing challenges in the region, including rebel advances and humanitarian crises affecting millions of displaced civilians.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c035lej04g6o