66 Soldiers Get Death Sentences in Congo

About 66 soldiers have been sentenced to death for cowardice, mutiny, and not following orders in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Goma Garrison Military Court gave the sentence last Friday.

The BBC reported on this after a trial of 71 soldiers at the court in Walikale, North Kivu province, in eastern DR Congo.

These soldiers were arrested in different incidents linked to fighting between the military and rebel groups near Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.

Congo's troops have been battling armed groups in the resource-rich east for many years. These groups include the M23 and the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN).

The soldiers faced accusations of leaving their posts or fleeing from clashes with FRN rebels.

The trial lasted 12 days at a military court. Prosecutors wanted the death sentence for 70 of the soldiers, while an intelligence officer faced a 10-year prison term.

Four soldiers were acquitted, and the intelligence officer received a 10-year jail sentence.

The army explained that the trial aimed to boost discipline among troops fighting armed groups in eastern DR Congo.

Dieudonne Kasereka, the army’s head of communications in Eastern Congo, said the charges were needed to strengthen discipline in the troubled North Kivu and South Kivu regions.

Congolese authorities brought back the death penalty in March 2024 to tackle “treason” in the armed forces.

Last month, 27 soldiers from Congo were also sentenced to death for cowardice.

Radio France Internationale estimated that 381 soldiers have received death sentences since 2025.

But there are growing worries about how the government uses capital punishment against Congolese troops.

Amnesty International has highlighted that the country's justice system has many issues. Trials often do not meet fair trial standards.

“Whether those sentenced to death are in the army or police, in armed groups, or involved in gang violence, everyone has a right to life and that right should be protected,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty’s regional director for East and Southern Africa.

“The decision will put the lives of hundreds of people at risk, including those sentenced after unfair trials and politically motivated charges.”