DR Congo sentences 66 soldiers to death for being ‘cowards’.
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At least 66 soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have been sentenced to death for cowardice, mutiny and disobeying orders following a military trial in the country’s conflict-hit eastern region, local media have reported.
The soldiers were among 71 military personnel tried before a military court in Walikale, North Kivu province.
Four were acquitted, while another received a 10-year prison sentence. The Congolese army said the trial was aimed at strengthening discipline among troops fighting armed groups in the east, where years of insecurity have continued to undermine government control. The soldiers were reportedly arrested on October 20 in Walikale after allegedly abandoning their positions and fleeing during clashes with fighters from the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a rebel coalition that includes the M23 group. The army’s operations against armed groups, particularly the M23, have repeatedly been affected by poor discipline and disorganisation within its ranks.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with Vanguard.