DR Congo military court sentences 66 soldiers to death over desertion and mutiny

Summary

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 66 soldiers to death for offences including desertion, mutiny and disobeying orders during fighting with rebels in the country's east, according to local media. Dozens of defendants were put on trial over accusations that they abandoned their posts and refused to follow direct orders. Deutsche Welle names the rebels as the FRN and reports the sentences as a punishment for cowardice. The BBC describes the sentences as a punishment for being 'cowards' and notes that the Congolese army's fight against rebel groups has long been hampered by disarray within its ranks. CBS News reports that the soldiers allegedly fled fighting with rebels and describes the charges as cowardice and mutiny.

Timeline

1. BBC

   10 Nov 2026, 08:39 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that DR Congo has sentenced 66 soldiers to death for being 'cowards', and says the army's fight against rebel groups has long been hampered by disarray within its ranks.

2. Africanews

   10 Nov 2026, 09:23 UTCSource ↗

   Africanews reports, citing local media, that a military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo sentenced 66 soldiers to death for desertion, mutiny and disobeying orders during fighting with rebels in the country's east.

3. Deutsche Welle

   10 Nov 2026, 09:43 UTCSource ↗

   Deutsche Welle reports that 66 soldiers were sentenced to death for cowardice in the conflict with FRN rebels, after dozens of defendants were tried over accusations that they abandoned their posts and refused to follow direct orders.

4. CBS News

   10 Nov 2026, 12:50 UTCSource ↗

   CBS News reports that a military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo sentenced 66 soldiers to death for cowardice and mutiny after they allegedly fled fighting with rebels.