DR CONGO- A total of thirty-nine soldiers are currently standing trial for committing mass rape and other sexual related offences against 130 women and girls in November, 2012.

The trial, according to source, comes after months of international pressure whereby some officials were suspected of the act, yet not tried. Armed groups in eastern DR Congo often use rape as a weapon of war.

CEOAFRICA.com gathered that the charges, including murder, rape and looting, were read out to the soldiers, who are mostly low-ranking, at the military court in the eastern city.

The trial will focus on events a year ago when M23 rebels took control of Goma and thousands of soldiers retreated to the town of Minova. At least 102 women and 33 girls were victims of rape or other acts of sexual violence by government troops in the market town to the south of Goma.

The trial was adjourned for two weeks following a request by the various lawyers representing the victims that they be able to go to Minova to find more witnesses.