The European Union (EU) has strongly condemned the recent death sentences handed down to several leaders of the M23/Congo River (Fleavu) Alliance rebels, calling the verdicts a violation of the rule of law and an affront to human rights.

On August 8, a military court in Gombe-Kinshasa sentenced, in absentia, key figures of the Alliance, including Corneille Nangaa, the coordinator, Bertrand Bisimwa, the M23 president, Gen. Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, the rebel military commander, former spokesperson Col. Vianney Kazarama, and journalist Paluku Magloire. These leaders were convicted of war crimes, participation in a criminal group, and treason.

The court also physically sentenced several M23 members, including Éric Nkuba, Nangaa Baseyane Putters, Safari Bishori Luc, Nkangya Nyamacho (alias Microbe), and Samafu Makinu Nicaisse, for similar charges. Additionally, a warrant was issued for the immediate arrest of Nangaa, along with an order for the confiscation of his property.

On the same day, the High Court of Kinshasa-Gombe sentenced six members of The Force of Progress, a group affiliated with the Union for Democracy and Social Progress party, to death for criminal association and attempted murder.

In a statement released on Saturday, EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Nabila Massrali, emphasized the importance of ensuring that the accused receive a fair trial. The EU criticized the death sentences as a severe breach of human dignity that fails to deter crime and renders any miscarriages of justice irreversible.

“The EU reiterates its commitment to guaranteeing the right to a fair trial and respect for the rights of the accused, in line with the international legal obligations to which the Democratic Republic of Congo has subscribed. The EU also reaffirms its total opposition to the death penalty under all circumstances,” the statement read.

The EU further highlighted that the death penalty is incompatible with the inalienable right to life and described it as cruel, inhuman, and degrading.

The conflict between the M23 rebels and the Congolese government, led by Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, reignited in March 2022. The rebels, who claim to be fighting against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the DR Congo’s leadership, have captured and controlled significant areas in North Kivu province, including Rutshuru, Masisi, Nyiragongo, and Lubero territories.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, a charge both Rwanda and the M23 deny.