Key facts
- A military court in Walikale sentenced at least 66 soldiers to death for cowardice, mutiny and refusing orders.
- The trial involved 71 soldiers; four were acquitted and one received 10 years in prison.
- The army said the trial was intended to improve discipline among troops fighting armed groups in eastern DR Congo.
- The soldiers were reportedly arrested on October 20 in Walikale, accused of abandoning positions during clashes with FRN fighters.
- Last month, another 27 soldiers were sentenced to death on similar charges of cowardice.
- Since the beginning of 2025, at least 507 soldiers have been convicted, including 381 death sentences, per RFI.
A military court in Walikale, in North Kivu province in eastern DR Congo, sentenced at least 66 soldiers to death for cowardice, mutiny and refusing to obey orders, according to local media reports cited by the BBC. The sentences followed a trial of 71 soldiers. Four were acquitted and one was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The army said the trial was intended to improve discipline among troops fighting armed groups in eastern DR Congo. The soldiers were reportedly arrested on October 20 in Walikale, where they were accused of abandoning their positions and fleeing during clashes with the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a rebel coalition that includes the M23 group.
The region has endured decades of conflict between government forces and the FRN. The government has repeatedly accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23, an allegation denied by both Kigali and the rebels.
DR Congo lifted a 20-year moratorium on the death penalty in March 2024, citing the need to remove "traitors" within the army. The government said capital punishment would also apply to people involved in armed groups, insurrection, treason and war crimes. Rights groups widely criticized the decision. No formal executions have been carried out since the moratorium was lifted.
Last month, another 27 soldiers were sentenced to death on similar charges of cowardice after reportedly withdrawing from the frontline during clashes with rebels. Since the beginning of 2025, at least 507 soldiers have been convicted, including 381 death sentences, according to figures compiled by French broadcaster RFI.
In October 2025, former Congolese President Joseph Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia on charges including war crimes and treason. He denied the accusations and did not appear in court. He has since been named as the FRN's leader.