Image source, Reuters
According to reports published in local media, at least 66 soldiers in the Republic of Congo have been sentenced to death on charges of cowardice, mutiny and refusal to obey orders.
These sentences were pronounced against 71 soldiers in Walikale, North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Of these 71 soldiers, four were acquitted, while one soldier was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The army says that the purpose of this trial was to improve discipline among soldiers during operations against armed groups in the eastern areas of the Republic of Congo.
Conflict has been going on in this area for decades. Fighting continues here between government forces and the rebel alliance called Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN). M23 group is also included in this alliance.
According to reports, the soldiers were arrested in Walikale on 20 October. They were accused of abandoning their posts during the encounter with FRN fighters.
The Congolese army's campaign against M23 and other armed groups has long been plagued by lack of discipline and mismanagement.
Till now 381 soldiers have been given death sentence
The Congolese government has repeatedly accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting M23. However, both Kigali and the rebel groups deny these allegations, even though clear evidence of this support has emerged.
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The Congolese army has faced frequent criticism over its lack of professional standards and discipline.
At the same time, the soldiers have also complained about low salary and not getting the required equipment.
Last month also, 27 other soldiers were sentenced to death on similar charges. He was accused of fleeing from the front line during the encounter with the rebels.
In March 2024, the Republic of Congo lifted a 20-year-old moratorium on the death penalty. The government had said that this decision has been taken in view of the need to eliminate 'traitors' within the army.
The government had said that the death penalty would also apply to people involved in armed groups, elements involved in insurgency and those convicted of treason and war crimes.
This decision to re-impose the death penalty was strongly criticized by human rights organizations. However, since the ban was lifted, no one has been officially sentenced to death.
According to data collected by French broadcaster RFI, at least 507 soldiers have been convicted of various crimes since the beginning of 2025. Of these, 381 soldiers have been sentenced to death.
Former President of Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila is also among those sentenced to death.
He was sentenced to death in absentia in October 2025 on charges including war crimes and treason. He had denied these allegations, but he did not appear in court to defend himself.
Later he was declared the leader of FRN.
Published by Collective Newsroom for the BBC.
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