LUBERO: Two Congolese soldiers were sentenced to death Friday for `cowardice` and `fleeing the enemy`, two days after a similar sentencing was handed down to 25 soldiers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The trials are taking place as M23 rebels, which Kinshasha accuses Rwanda of backing, last week seized new terrain on the northern front of the conflict that has been ongoing for two and a half years in the North Kivu province. Kigali denies backing the M23 rebels.

Since the end of 2021, the rebels conquered vast swathes of territory in the province, nearly completely encircling the provincial capital of Goma.

The hearings have a `deterrent and educational` character, Captain Melissa Kahambu Muhasa, representing the public prosecutor, said.

They aim to put off soldiers from abandoning their posts on the front lines, she said.

Publichearings were staged Thursdayby the Butembo garrison military court in the town of Lubero, some 70 kilometres (43 miles) away from the city.-AFP