A military court in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 66 soldiers to death for cowardice, mutiny and disobeying orders after they abandoned their positions during fighting with a rebel coalition.
The men were among 71 troops tried in Walikale, North Kivu province. Four were acquitted and one received a 10-year prison term. The Congolese army said the proceedings were intended to enforce discipline among units confronting armed groups in the conflict-ridden east.
The soldiers were arrested on 20 October in Walikale after allegedly fleeing during clashes with the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, a rebel alliance that includes the M23 movement. Military operations against M23 and other groups have repeatedly been hampered by poor discipline and organisational weaknesses within the armed forces.
Congolese authorities have long accused Rwanda of supporting M23, a charge denied by Kigali and the rebels. The army has faced criticism over its professionalism, while soldiers have complained of low pay and inadequate equipment.
This is the second such mass sentencing in recent weeks. Last month, 27 soldiers were condemned to death on similar charges of withdrawing from the front line during rebel fighting.
DR Congo restored the death penalty in March 2024 after a 20-year moratorium, saying the measure was needed to remove “traitors” from the military. Capital punishment was also extended to those involved in armed groups, insurrection, treason and war crimes. Human rights organisations criticised the decision. No executions have been carried out since the penalty was reinstated.
Figures compiled by French broadcaster RFI show that at least 507 soldiers have been convicted since the start of 2025, including 381 death sentences.
In a related development last month, former president Joseph Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia on charges including war crimes and treason. Kabila denied the allegations and did not attend the trial. He has since been identified as the leader of the FRN.
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