An army colonel has been sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo for his role in the killing of more than 50 demonstrators in August 2023.
Troops serving under Colonel Mike Mikombe opened fire in the eastern city of Goma on members of a religious sect taking part in a banned protest against the UN peacekeeping force.
Colonel Mikombe was charged with crimes against humanity. Mikombe, who was head of the Republican Guard unit in the city of Goma, where the incident took place, was one of six soldiers on trial.
Three fellow officers have also been convicted by a military tribunal and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
However, Mikombe’s deputy and another soldier were acquitted.
Col Mikombe’s lawyers have said they’ll appeal this tough ruling.
The death sentence is often handed down in DR Congo but it’s been more than 20 years since an actual execution took place. His sentence will most likely be commuted to life imprisonment.
