Lubero, Democratic Republic of Congo – A military tribunal in Congo’s North Kivu province has sentenced 13 soldiers to death for crimes including murder, looting, and cowardice, as part of a campaign to address indiscipline within the armed forces.
The verdicts, handed down on Tuesday in Lubero town, come amid ongoing conflict in the region, where Congolese forces have struggled against the Rwanda-backed M23 insurgency and other militias for nearly three years.
Local army spokesperson Mak Hazukay attributed recent territorial losses to instances of soldiers abandoning their posts. “Some of the soldiers who are supposed to be fighting the enemy at the front have shown a kind of indiscipline,” he said. “We had to organise this educational trial to set things right.” 
Of the 24 soldiers tried, four received sentences ranging from two to ten years, six were acquitted, and one case was deferred for further investigation.
Military prosecutor Kabala Kabundi emphasized the trials aimed to “restore trust between the military and the population.”
All convicted soldiers pleaded not guilty. They have five days to appeal their sentences, with one defendant’s lawyer confirming plans to contest the ruling.
The ongoing fighting in North Kivu has intensified, particularly in Lubero territory, where the M23 insurgency and other violent groups have destabilized the area, exacerbating civilian and military challenges.
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