Africa-Press. Eighty-four soldiers from the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are appearing before a military court on charges including “mutiny,” “refusal to fight,” and “embezzlement of ammunition.” These charges stem from events that occurred earlier this year in Kisangani, the capital of the Tshopo province.
The incidents date back to February in the town of Binga, located in the Walikale region of North Kivu, where the involved soldiers refused to participate in combat, citing non-payment of their financial entitlements, including bonuses related to military operations.
This refusal led to gunfire erupting within the town, an act that is strictly prohibited within the military institution. These developments come amid ongoing tensions related to the war against the March 23 Movement, also known as the “Alliance of Forces for Change,” which Congolese authorities accuse of receiving support from the Rwandan army, further complicating the security situation in the region.
The trial sessions began before the military court in Kisangani, with the first session dedicated to identifying the defendants, while the formal investigation phase is set to commence the following Monday. The commander of the third defense zone referred the case to military judiciary, emphasizing that this trial aims to serve as a deterrent model for the rest of the forces.
In turn, the defense attorney pointed to what he described as a lack of evidence, arguing that the judicial proceedings could negatively impact the stability of the army. The accused soldiers have been held in military detention in Kisangani for nearly two months and face penalties that could include life imprisonment if convicted.
