The trial of 84 Congolese soldiers accused of murder, rape, and other crimes against civilians has begun in South Kivu. The civil party seeks the death penalty. The trial coincides with ongoing rebel advances, which have caused thousands of casualties.

The trial of 84 Congolese soldiers accused of committing murder, rape, and other crimes against civilians in the conflict-ridden eastern region of the country commenced on Monday.

The soldiers stand accused of forcibly entering civilian homes across multiple villages in the Kabare and Kalehe territories, located in the eastern province of South Kivu, over the weekend. During these attacks, they allegedly raped several women and killed at least 12 people.

On Monday, the accused soldiers were presented before a military court in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, where the proceedings began.

During the hearing, the civil party called for the death penalty to be imposed on all the defendants.

Congo recently lifted a moratorium on the death penalty that had been in place for over two decades, a decision that has been met with criticism from human rights activists. The country’s last known execution took place in 2003.

Zawadi Chapo Ombeni, a resident of Kavumu, recounted being beaten and robbed by soldiers as he attempted to flee his village in response to advancing rebel forces.

This trial takes place at a time when M23 rebels, who are backed by Rwanda, have been making substantial territorial gains in South Kivu in recent weeks. Their advances follow their capture of Goma, a strategically significant city in the neighboring province of North Kivu.

Since late January, the ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of approximately 3,000 people, with nearly the same number suffering injuries.