DRC: 25 soldiers sentenced to death for theft and desertion against the M23

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, twenty-five soldiers were sentenced to death by a military tribunal for fleeing fighting against M23 rebels and for theft.

The Congolese army, which has been fighting the Rwandan-backed M23 insurgency for more than two years, is also facing other violence from the militias.

Clashes that have forced about 2.7 million people to move in North Kivu province. Last week, rebels advanced into strategically important territory.

On Tuesday, twenty-seven soldiers who had abandoned their positions in the villages of Keseghe and Matembe were found stealing goods in the neighbouring village.

They were arrested by the army along with four of their wives who were hiding the stolen items.

The next day a military tribunal was set up to try them. Twenty-five of them were sentenced by the magistrate to death for theft, fleeing from the enemy and violating orders.

One soldier was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while the four wives and another soldier were acquitted.

All denied the charges, except one of the 25 soldiers, who pleaded guilty.

Their lawyer, Jules Muvweko, said he would appeal the verdict.

The Congolese army has suffered and become dysfunctional as the crisis drags on, and internal divisions have emerged . The lack of logistics and resources is affecting the proper functioning of the contingent.

The Democratic Republic of Congo had established a moratorium on the death penalty in early 2000, but never abolished it.