Death in battle or death in court – soldiers gets death sentence for strange reason
In Democratic Republic of Congo, soldiers are being sentenced to death for turning their backs on the battlefield.
The recent batch to have been sentenced are 25 soldiers who controversially ran away after the superior fire of rebels drastically lowered their morale.
The strange sentencing played out in Butembo military court. A court located at North Kivu province of the country.
Colonel Kabeya read out the sentencing.
In his words “I find them guilty and sentence each of them to death” Their offence ranges from abandoning battle and dissipation, among other crimes.
The Butembo military court in North Kivu province handed the sentences down on Wednesday, deeming them guilty of fleeing the enemy, dissipation of war munitions, and violation of orders.
Colonel Kabeya Ya Hanu, president of the military court, wanted to pass a clear message, which is zero tolerance for cowardice.
Every effort is being made to motivate decimated soldiers to fight. The country is in desperate desire of morale among their soldiers.
Congolese army and M23 fighters are locked in punishing battles, and soldiers often flee the battlefield.
The military tribunal was set up primarily to deal with soldiers fleeing battle. The sentencing is expected to technically impose the soldiers on the battle permanently.
27 soldiers appeared before the military court, and wives of four among them were accused of complicit in their awol but were later acquitted.
This is not the first time soldiers in Congo are sentenced to death. The country’s military leader has declared zero tolerance for cowardice.
The death penalty is strange, but in Congo, the military leadership scrapped a moratorium on the death penalty in the country. Since then, scores have been sentenced to death.
Moise Hangi, a human rights activist, noted DRC’s government only recently lifted a moratorium on the death penalty that was in place since 2003.
Moise Hangi said to Aljazeera, “We are in danger of reaching the point where many military personnel are going to be candidates for this decision, rather than improving our security apparatus. This kind of decision will increasingly weaken our military and give more fear to those on all the front lines,”
“Death penalty for soldiers will likely discourage citizens from enrolment in the country’s military. And there, people could feel underappreciated, knowing a mistake or split seconds decision could cost them their lives in the hands of the country’s military” Dailytab24 senior political analyst said.
M23 took control of an economically crucial town of Kanyabayonga. The seized town is the way station to cities. The takeover underpinned the lack of military might of the country.
Rwanda has denied sponsoring and aiding M23, but sources said M23 cannot confidently challenge Congolese Army without a state support.
M23 has turned into a rebel force capable of seizing territories and sustaining their grips on them.
Their activities have led to the displacement of millions of people, killing citizens in the process.
The country’s Army has drastically shrunken, and the upper hand shown by the rebel group discourage potential recruits. Most people prefer to join the rebels instead of the Army.
DR Congo’s mineral-rich east remains the bone of contention. Locals have been neglected while the mineral deposit is lifted, and leading to arm conflict with foreign forces.
The country’s rich minerals and gold have led to more than 90 armed groups formations – all struggling to possess a share of the spoil.
The country continues to lose soldiers to rebels. There is rife in the country, with no one knowing whom to trust.
Mere accusation could lead to death penalty, with the country’s leadership clueless as to how to stem the tide against it.
