More than 80 Congolese soldiers are facing court martial proceedings after military prosecutors accused them of abandoning their front-line positions during fierce fighting with AFC/M23 rebels in eastern Congo and firing their weapons into the air to create the illusion of combat.
The mass prosecution represents one of the most significant disciplinary actions taken against government forces since the M23 insurgency re-emerged in late 2021 with Rwandan government support. The rebels have seized vast swaths of territory in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces.
The accused soldiers reportedly withdrew from their positions around Minembwe town in the South Kivu highlands, where pro-government forces have clashed repeatedly with M23-aligned militia fighters. Rather than engage the enemy, investigators say the deserters discharged their rifles upward to simulate an active firefight — a deception intended to cover their retreat.
Military analysts say the incident underscores deeper structural problems within the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). Chronic underfunding, poor equipment, irregular pay, and low morale have plagued the force for years, making it difficult to hold defensive lines against a well-organised and externally backed rebel movement.
The M23 group — named after a defunct 2009 peace accord — has escalated its campaign throughout 2025 and 2026, capturing key towns and strategic infrastructure. In January 2026, the rebels seized the provincial capital of Goma, sending shockwaves through the region and prompting renewed diplomatic pressure on Rwanda to withdraw support.
President Félix Tshisekedi’s government has repeatedly denied reports of military collapse, insisting that offensive operations remain ongoing. However, the scale of the court martial proceedings suggests that command authorities are attempting to restore discipline from within, even as battlefield losses accumulate.
The trial is expected to send a message to remaining troops that desertion will not be tolerated — though critics argue that punishing soldiers without addressing the material conditions driving their retreat只会只会只会加剧军队的不稳定 will only deepen instability. The court martial hearings are scheduled to begin within the coming weeks in a military barracks outside Goma.