DRC: soldier desertion trials highlight army in disarray amid rebel advances

Trials of Congolese soldiers accused of desertion, murder, and looting shed light on a military grappling with poor morale and dysfunction, amid ongoing rebel advances in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In recent court proceedings, over 300 soldiers have stood trial, with some facing death sentences for fleeing the frontlines as M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, captured key territories. The trials have brought attention to systemic issues plaguing the Congolese army, including corruption, underpayment, and inadequate equipment. Soldiers, many of whom are paid around $100 per month, have expressed frustration with their conditions, citing insufficient resources and a weak chain of command. “We suffer like the rest of the population,” said a colonel, highlighting the harsh reality faced by those fighting on the frontlines.
Despite president Felix Tshisekedi’s attempts to recruit more soldiers and secure better weaponry, these efforts have done little to improve the situation on the ground, according to senior officers. Some critics point to the government’s reliance on regional forces and militias, which have proven difficult to control. As M23 rebels push south toward Bukavu, atrocities committed by both soldiers and rebels have escalated, including reports of mass violence against civilians. With the future of Congo’s security force in question, the trials of deserters are a stark reminder of the military’s ongoing struggle amid a rapidly deteriorating situation in the east.