DR Congo Sentences 66 Soldiers to Death for Cowardice, Mutiny and Abandoning Military Positions

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has sentenced 66 soldiers to death after a military court found them guilty of cowardice, mutiny and refusing to obey military orders during clashes with rebel forces in the country’s troubled eastern region.

The verdict was delivered by the Goma Garrison Military Court following a 12-day trial involving 71 members of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), held in Walikale, North Kivu Province.

According to reports, the soldiers were arrested on October 20, 2026, after allegedly abandoning their military positions and fleeing during confrontations with fighters belonging to the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a rebel coalition that includes the M23 movement.

Out of the 71 soldiers who stood trial, 66 received death sentences, four were acquitted, while one soldier was handed a 10-year prison sentence. Prosecutors had reportedly sought the death penalty for 70 of the accused.

Congolese military authorities have defended the prosecution, explaining that the action is intended to restore discipline, strengthen accountability and reinforce obedience within the country’s armed forces as government troops continue to battle armed groups in eastern DR Congo.

Major Dieudonné Kasereka, a military communications officer in the affected region, indicated that enforcing discipline among troops was necessary given the security challenges confronting North and South Kivu.

The development comes amid years of instability and armed conflict in eastern DR Congo, where government forces have struggled to contain several rebel groups, particularly the M23 movement and its associated coalition.

The Congolese military has also faced criticism over internal challenges, including poor organisation, inadequate equipment, low morale and allegations of poor remuneration, which have complicated its efforts to defend territories against rebel advances.

The latest ruling is not an isolated incident. In October 2026, another 27 Congolese soldiers were reportedly sentenced to death for cowardice after withdrawing from frontline positions during fighting with rebel forces.

DR Congo lifted its long-standing moratorium on the death penalty in March 2024, arguing that tougher measures were necessary to address serious security offences, including treason and military misconduct.

However, the renewed use of capital punishment has attracted criticism from human rights organisations. Amnesty International has raised concerns about the fairness of military trials and the potential consequences of imposing death sentences in a justice system facing significant challenges.

The organisation has stressed that every individual, regardless of their alleged offence, is entitled to the protection of their fundamental human rights, including the right to life and a fair trial.

The sentencing of the 66 soldiers therefore raises broader questions about military accountability, the treatment of soldiers during wartime and whether capital punishment can effectively address the deeper institutional challenges facing the Congolese military.

As fighting continues in the country’s eastern territories, the decision sends a strong message from the government that abandoning military responsibilities and disobeying orders will attract severe consequences. However, whether such harsh punishments will improve battlefield performance or further expose the weaknesses within the country’s military remains to be seen.