DR Congo Military Court Sentences 66 Soldiers to Death

The Goma Garrison Military Court sentenced 66 soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo to death on November 6, 2026. The soldiers, members of the 3415th Regiment, were convicted of cowardice, military mutiny, and disobeying orders after allegedly abandoning their positions during clashes with the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) in Walikale, North Kivu. Of the 71 soldiers tried, four were acquitted and one intelligence officer received 10 years of hard labor.

Military authorities stated the sentences aim to reinforce discipline amid ongoing operations in the resource-rich east. The rulings follow a March 2024 government decision to lift a 20-year moratorium on the death penalty to remove traitors from the military. Since the start of 2025, at least 507 soldiers have been convicted, with 381 receiving death sentences, though no formal executions have been reported.

The trials occur as the FRN, a rebel coalition led by former President Joseph Kabila and including the M23 group, continues to advance. On November 8, FRN rebels captured the strategic Bunyakiri Centre in South Kivu Province, potentially disrupting government supply lines. The Congolese government continues to accuse Rwanda of supporting the FRN, a claim denied by both Rwanda and the rebels.

Amnesty International criticized the proceedings, arguing the justice system is plagued by problems and fails to meet fair trial standards. Tigere Chagutah, the organization's regional director, stated that everyone has a right to life regardless of their role in the army or armed groups.