Earth Science News
AFRICA NEWS
DR Congo soldiers risk death penalty for 'cowardice'
DR Congo soldiers risk death penalty for 'cowardice'
by AFP Staff Writers
Goma, Dr Congo (AFP) Mar 29, 2024

Prosecutors on Friday urged a military court in the war-torn east of the Democratic Republic of Congo to sentence to death 11 soldiers accused of "cowardice" and "fleeing the enemy", a lawyer said.

It was the first such call for capital punishment since the authorities decided on March 13 to resume executions with a rebellion seizing swathes of land around the North Kivu provincial capital Goma.

Alexis Olenga, lawyer for Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Paluku Dunia -- one of five officers facing the charges -- said the trial had been adjourned till April 5 when the case for the defence would be heard.

Olenga said the soldiers were based at Lushangi-Cafe, a federal army position close to the strategic town of Sake, 20 kilometres (12 miles) down the road from Goma.

"They never fled from the enemy nor abandoned their position -- on the contrary," he said.

If found guilty the 11 men could be the first to be executed since a 2003 moratorium on carrying out death sentences was lifted, ending the practice of commuting death sentences to life in jail.

The failure of the army and its auxiliaries to halt the advance of the mainly Tutsi-led M23 rebels has raised suspicion that the security forces have been infiltrated.

Several military personnel as well as members of parliament, senators and business leaders have been arrested and accused of "complicity with the enemy".

Human rights groups and the Catholic Church have called on the government to abolish capital punishment for any crime.

Related Links
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
AFRICA NEWS
Seven Chadian soldiers killed in mine blast
N'Djamena (AFP) Mar 26, 2024
Seven Chadian soldiers were killed when their vehicle hit a landmine in a lawless region where jihadist groups including Nigeria's Boko Haram and an Islamic State offshoot are active. President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said several other soldiers were injured in Monday's blast in Tchoukou Telia in the restive Lake Chad region, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) from the capital N'Djamena. "Their vehicle struck a mine while they were patrolling," he said. "Seven soldiers were killed and several oth ... read more

AFRICA NEWS
'Just staggering': UN says households waste 1 bn meals a day

82% of EU farm subsidies bolster high emissions foods: study

Antarctic expedition uncovers century-old milk powder

How agrivoltaics and controlled environments shape farming's future

AFRICA NEWS
13 Indonesian soldiers held over alleged torture of Papuan

China ships Tibetan glacier water to climate-threatened Maldives

Historical analysis of Antarctic current reveals climate change impact and future risks

China offers economic support after Nauru cuts Taiwan ties

AFRICA NEWS
Worrying biodiversity loss in Finnish coastal waters: report

Alpine Ecosystems Face Major Biodiversity Shifts Due to Climate Change

Zambia says cuts to curb food insecurity amid drought

'Weather forecasts' by kids warning about climate to hit TVs globally

AFRICA NEWS
KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells

Revolutionary waterproof, flexible solar film unveiled by RIKEN

Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high

Extreme weather offers untapped opportunities for renewable energy

AFRICA NEWS
Transforming CO2 into green fuel with innovative sunlight-powered catalyst

Tripling the US Bioeconomy: The Billion-Ton Report's Blueprint for Sustainable Biomass

Turning CO2 into Methanol at Room Temperature

Greenhouse gas repurposed in University of Auckland experiments

AFRICA NEWS
Japan, China experts discuss Fukushima water release

Baltimore bridge collapse may see biggest marine insurance payout: report

Lessons from Fukushima: Prepare for the unlikely

Rafah displaced shiver as thunder and rain lash tent camp

AFRICA NEWS
Canada's Trudeau on back foot over carbon tax

Saudi Aramco CEO calls energy transition strategy a failure

Shining a light on oil fields to make them more sustainable

China backs Venezuela as opposition figure excluded from election

AFRICA NEWS
China lifts punitive tariffs on Australian wine

China factory activity up after five-month slump

Seeing US ties, Vietnam appeals for 'market economy' status

Indonesian president-elect Prabowo to visit China

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.