Military Court in Congo Sentences 66 Soldiers to Death

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 66 soldiers to death. The charges include cowardice, refusal to obey orders, mutiny, and wasting munitions. This information comes from local media reports.

The trial took place over 12 days in the town of Walikale, located in Congo’s eastern North Kivu province. Alongside the sentenced soldiers, four others were acquitted while one received a 10-year prison sentence. The verdict was reported by Radio Okapi.

Military authorities noted that the trial aimed to enforce discipline within the armed forces. This has been reported by both Congolese and international news outlets. For years, Congolese troops have been engaged in combat with armed groups in the eastern region. These groups include the M23 and the rebel coalition Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN).

A soldier was photographed holding a weapon during a trial attended by soldiers of the Democratic Republic of Congo Army in Lubero on July 6, 2024. Photo credited to SEROS MUYISA/AFP/Getty.

The arrests occurred on October 20, following accusations that the soldiers fled during encounters with FRN fighters. BBC News, a partner network of CBS News, provided this information. The armed forces in the country face ongoing accusations of poor discipline. Soldiers often complain about inadequate pay and equipment, according to the BBC.

In early October, Radio Okapi reported that 27 Congolese soldiers received the death penalty for cowardice. In March 2024, Congo reintroduced the death penalty to address issues of “treason” within its forces. Amnesty International noted that the country’s justice system has many flaws, and trials there often do not meet fair trial standards.

Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty’s regional director for East and Southern Africa, stated, “Whether those who have been sentenced to death are in the national army or police, in armed groups or have been involved in gang violence, everyone has a right to life and for that right to be protected.” He added that this decision exposes hundreds of lives to danger following unfair trials and politically motivated charges.

A map shows the Democratic Republic of the Congo alongside neighboring countries in Central Africa. Image courtesy of PeterPencil/Getty.

The United Nations and many Western governments have accused the Rwandan government of backing M23. They allege this support is aimed at exploiting the mineral resources of Congo. According to the United Nations, M23 fighters have carried out summary executions and mass rapes during their incursions into Congo.

As of early 2025, a total of 381 Congolese soldiers have been sentenced to death, based on figures from Radio France Internationale.