DR Congo Military Court: 66 FARDC Soldiers Get Death Sentences

• At least 507 FARDC soldiers have been tried and convicted in military tribunals since early 2025 for offenses related to the war in eastern DR Congo.
• Up to 381 of these soldiers have received death sentences for charges including desertion, disobedience, and cowardice.
• On November 6, 66 FARDC soldiers were sentenced to death in Walikale for "cowardice in the face of the enemy," "military mutiny," and "refusal to obey orders."
• The conflict, which escalated in January 2025, saw AFC/M23 forces capture major cities like Goma and Bukavu.
• The Congolese army states these prosecutions aim to improve discipline among troops, who have complained of inadequate pay and equipment.

The extensive military trials and severe penalties, including numerous DR Congo FARDC soldiers death sentences, underscore persistent issues within the Congolese armed forces.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's military justice system has handed down a significant number of death sentences to FARDC soldiers involved in the ongoing conflict against AFC/M23 in the eastern part of the country. On Friday, November 6, a military court in Walikale territory, North Kivu Province, condemned 66 FARDC soldiers to death. These soldiers faced charges including "cowardice in the face of the enemy," "military mutiny," and "refusal to obey orders." This particular case, which saw 71 soldiers tried by the Goma Garrison Military Court over a 12-day period, also resulted in a 10-year prison sentence for one sergeant and the acquittal of four others. The accusations stemmed from incidents in Ntoto, where the soldiers were alleged to have abandoned their positions and fled during engagements with AFC/M23 forces.

Since early 2025, military tribunals have tried and convicted at least 507 FARDC personnel for offenses related to their conduct in the war. A staggering 381 of these individuals have been sentenced to death, while others received various prison terms. The charges frequently involve desertion, disobedience, and cowardice in the face of the "enemy." The conflict itself intensified in January 2025, pitting AFC/M23 forces against a Kinshasa-backed coalition that included the FARDC, Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces, European mercenaries, the FDLR militia, and local Mai-Mai and Wazalendo militias. During this period, AFC/M23 successfully captured major cities such as Goma and Bukavu, as government forces and their allies reportedly surrendered or retreated.

The Walikale verdict is part of a broader pattern of military prosecutions occurring across the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uvira, located in South Kivu Province, two separate trials led to 45 death sentences. Similarly, in Beni, three officers were condemned to death for desertion and violating military orders. Further illustrating the reach of these trials, 58 soldiers from the same regiment as those tried in Walikale received three-year prison sentences in Kisangani. The DRC military justice system has been actively pursuing soldiers accused of abandoning frontline positions, fleeing clashes, deserting, and disobeying orders throughout the war.

The scale of these convictions is evident in the annual figures. In 2026 alone, a minimum of 237 military personnel were convicted, with 114 of them receiving death sentences. The preceding year, 2025, saw two trials in Bukavu and Musienene collectively result in 267 death sentences. Even high-ranking officials have faced consequences; in Kinshasa, two army generals were sentenced to one year in prison for cowardice in the face of the enemy, specifically in connection with the fall of Goma. The AFC/M23 forces, which have since been absorbed into the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) led by former Congolese President Joseph Kabila, have been central to the incidents leading to these widespread Congolese military court convictions.

The extensive military trials and severe penalties, including numerous DR Congo FARDC soldiers death sentences, underscore persistent issues within the Congolese armed forces. The FARDC has long faced criticism regarding its poor discipline and organizational shortcomings. Concurrently, soldiers themselves have voiced complaints about inadequate pay and a lack of essential equipment, factors that can significantly impact morale and battlefield performance.

The Congolese army has publicly stated that these widespread prosecutions are a deliberate measure aimed at enhancing discipline among its troops. This initiative is specifically targeted at soldiers engaged in combat against various armed groups in the eastern regions of the country. The intention is to enforce stricter adherence to military conduct and deter actions such as desertion or insubordination, which have reportedly contributed to setbacks in the AFC/M23 conflict military trials.

The widespread military prosecutions and imposition of death sentences on FARDC soldiers in DR Congo highlight critical issues in military justice, due process, and human rights within conflict zones. Lawyers advising clients on international humanitarian law, human rights, or military conduct should analyze these cases for implications regarding accountability, legal protections for combatants, and potential challenges to military court jurisdiction or fairness of proceedings.

Source: Original reporting via New Times.