A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced at least 66 soldiers to death following a trial in Walikale, located in eastern North Kivu province.
According to local media reports, the convictions stem from charges of cowardice, mutiny, and refusing to obey orders. The court martial evaluated 71 military personnel, ultimately acquitting four soldiers and issuing a 10 year prison sentence to another.
The army said the proceedings aimed to reinforce military discipline as troops combat armed groups in the conflict ridden eastern region. The defendants were reportedly taken into custody on 20 October in Walikale after being accused of abandoning their positions and fleeing during active combat with fighters from the front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a rebel coalition that includes the M23 group.
Eastern DR Congo has endured decades of continuous fighting between government forces and insurgent groups. Military operations against armed groups have long been hindered by widespread disorganisation and poor discipline within army ranks.
While soldiers have raised grievances regarding inadequate equipment and low pay, the military continues to face persistent criticism over its lack of professionalism.
Additionally, the government has repeatedly accused neighbouring Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels, an allegation denied by both Kigali and the rebel group despite overwhelming evidence.
The latest convictions follow a ruling last month in which another 27 soldiers received death sentences on similar charges of cowardice after reportedly withdrawing from the frontline during clashes with rebels.
According to figures compiled by French broadcaster RFI, at least 507 soldiers have been convicted since the beginning of 2025, resulting in 381 death sentences.
In March 2024, DR Congo lifted a 20 year moratorium on the death penalty, citing the need to remove traitors within the military. The government said capital punishment would also apply to individuals involved in insurrection, treason, war crimes, and armed group activities.
Although rights organisations widely criticised the decision to reinstate the death penalty, no formal executions have been carried out since the moratorium was lifted.
In a separate high profile ruling in October 2025, former Congolese president Joseph Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia on charges including war crimes and treason. He denied the accusations but failed to appear in court to defend himself, and has since been named as the leader of the FRN.
