A military court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) has sentenced 66 soldiers to death for cowardice, mutiny and disobeying orders during operations against rebel groups in the country’s conflict-hit eastern region.
The verdict followed a trial involving 71 soldiers in Walikale, North Kivu province. Four defendants were acquitted, while another received a 10-year prison sentence.
The soldiers were reportedly arrested on October 20 after allegedly abandoning their positions during clashes with armed groups. The trial lasted approximately 12 days, with the verdicts delivered on November 10, 2026.
The case comes as government forces continue to battle armed organisations, including the M23 movement and the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), amid persistent insecurity in eastern DR Congo.
Military authorities have defended strict disciplinary measures, arguing that soldiers who abandon their positions can undermine operations and expose fellow troops and civilians to danger. However, details of the evidence presented, the defendants’ legal representation and possible appeal procedures remain limited.
The Congolese armed forces have faced longstanding operational challenges, including inadequate equipment, logistical shortages, delayed salaries and difficulties coordinating military operations. These conditions have raised questions about whether battlefield withdrawals always result from deliberate disobedience or, in some cases, reflect failures in military support and command.
The conflict has also intensified tensions between Kinshasa and neighbouring Rwanda. The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Kigali of supporting M23, an allegation Rwanda denies. United Nations investigations, however, have documented evidence of Rwandan military involvement in eastern Congo.
The sentencing has renewed scrutiny of DR Congo’s use of capital punishment. The country lifted its nearly two-decade suspension of executions in March 2024, allowing authorities to pursue the death penalty for serious offences, including treason, armed rebellion and military desertion.
Human rights organisations have criticised the decision, warning that military courts must guarantee fair trials, effective legal representation and opportunities for defendants to appeal, particularly in cases involving death sentences.
In October 2026, another 27 Congolese soldiers were reportedly sentenced to death over similar allegations of abandoning military positions.
Figures compiled by French broadcaster RFI indicate that at least 507 soldiers have been convicted since early 2025, including 381 who received death sentences. No formal executions have been reported since the suspension was lifted.
The latest verdicts highlight the challenges facing DR Congo’s military as it confronts multiple armed groups in the east. While authorities consider strict punishment necessary to enforce discipline, critics argue that lasting improvements will also require better equipment, training, leadership and logistical support.
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