At least 66 soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have been sentenced to death for offences including cowardice, mutiny and disobedience to military orders.
The sentences followed the trial of 71 soldiers before a military court in Walikale, North Kivu Province, in the eastern part of the country.
While 66 soldiers were handed death sentences, four others were acquitted, and one received a 10-year prison term.
According to local media reports, the soldiers were arrested on October 20 after allegedly abandoning their military positions and fleeing during clashes with fighters from the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a rebel coalition that includes the M23 group.
The Congolese army said the trial was intended to strengthen discipline among troops deployed to combat armed groups in the country’s conflict-hit eastern region.
The development comes weeks after another 27 soldiers were sentenced to death for similar offences following reports that they withdrew from the frontline during clashes with rebel fighters.
DR Congo lifted its 20-year moratorium on the death penalty in March 2024, citing the need to tackle treason and other serious offences within the military.
The government also extended capital punishment to individuals involved in armed groups, insurrection and war crimes.
However, despite the resumption of death sentences, no formal executions have been carried out since the moratorium was lifted.
According to figures compiled by French broadcaster RFI, at least 507 soldiers have been convicted since the beginning of 2025, including 381 who received death sentences.
