Military Court in Congo Sentences 66 Soldiers to Death

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 66 soldiers to death for cowardice, mutiny, refusing to obey orders, and misusing munitions, as reported by local media. The trial, which lasted 12 days, took place in the town of Walikale, located in the eastern North Kivu province. Alongside those sentenced to death, four individuals were acquitted, while another received a 10-year prison sentence.

The trial aimed to enhance discipline within the military, according to various Congolese and international media reports. Forces in Congo have been engaged in prolonged battles against armed factions in the country’s eastern regions, including the M23 group and the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN).

According to CBS News’ partner network, BBC News, the soldiers were detained on October 20 after being accused of retreating from combat with FRN fighters. Ill-discipline has been a recurring issue for the country’s armed forces, while soldiers have also spoken out about inadequate pay and equipment.

In early October, another group of 27 Congolese soldiers was similarly sentenced to death for cowardice, as noted by Radio Okapi. The application of the death penalty was reinstated by Congolese authorities in March 2024 to combat internal “treason” within the armed forces. Amnesty International, however, has criticized the justice system for its deficiencies, as trials often do not conform to fair trial standards.

This harsh decision jeopardizes the lives of hundreds on death row, some sentenced after unfair trials and politically charged allegations.

— Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty’s regional director for East and Southern Africa

Amnesty International emphasized that everyone, whether in the national army or involved in armed groups, possesses a right to life, and this right should be upheld.

Amid these developments, the United Nations and several Western governments have persistently accused Rwanda’s government of supporting the M23 group to exploit the mineral wealth of Congo. The U.N. reported last year that M23 fighters engaged in summary executions and mass rapes during their advances in the eastern parts of DR Congo.

Since the start of 2025, Radio France Internationale has recorded that 381 Congolese soldiers have been sentenced to death, underscoring the ongoing turmoil in the region.