10.11.2026 20:22
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 66 soldiers accused of abandoning their positions and fleeing while fighting rebels were sentenced to death for cowardice, rebellion, and failure to obey orders. Of the 71 soldiers tried in the military court, 4 were acquitted, while 1 was sentenced to 10 years in prison. After the country's 20-year moratorium on the death penalty was lifted in 2024, death sentences have been handed down for 381 soldiers since the beginning of 2025. However, no official execution has yet been carried out.
According to reports in local media in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at least 66 soldiers were sentenced to death on charges of cowardice, mutiny, and failure to obey orders.
The rulings were announced following a trial in which 71 soldiers were tried at a military court in Walikale, a city in North Kivu province in eastern DRC.
The court acquitted 4 soldiers and sentenced 1 soldier to 10 years in prison. The army reported that the trial aimed to increase discipline among troops fighting armed groups in the east of the country.
THEY WERE ACCUSED OF LEAVING THEIR POSITIONS AND FLEEING
The region has been the scene of conflicts for decades. Clashes continue between government forces and the rebel coalition Front for the Reconstruction of the Nation (FRN), which includes the M23 group.
It was reported that the soldiers were arrested in Walikale on October 20. The soldiers in question were accused of abandoning their positions and fleeing during clashes with FRN fighters.
The Congolese army's military operation against armed groups, including M23, has long been adversely affected by indiscipline and a lack of organization within the troops.
The government has repeatedly accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23 group. Rwanda and the rebels denied the allegation. While the army is criticized for a lack of professionalism and discipline, soldiers complain about low pay and inadequate equipment.
THE 20-YEAR MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY HAD BEEN LIFTED
Last month, 27 soldiers were also sentenced to death on similar cowardice charges for withdrawing from the front during clashes with rebels.
In March 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo lifted the 20-year moratorium on the death penalty, stating that traitors within the army needed to be purged. The government announced that the death penalty would also apply to those who join armed groups, incite rebellion, commit treason, and commit war crimes.
The decision to reinstate the death penalty was criticized by human rights organizations. No official execution has been carried out since the moratorium was lifted.
381 SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO DEATH SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2025
According to data compiled by the French broadcaster RFI, at least 507 soldiers have been convicted since the beginning of 2025, and 381 of them were sentenced to death.
In October 2025, former Congolese President Joseph Kabila was sentenced in absentia to death on various charges, including war crimes and treason. Kabila denied the charges but did not appear in court to defend himself. Kabila was later declared the leader of the FRN.