DRC: 66 soldiers sentenced to death for mutiny and cowardice in the face of the enemy

Sixty-six soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) were sentenced to death following a trial before the Goma garrison military court, sitting in Walikale-Centre, in North Kivu province. They were found guilty of several offenses, including mutiny, refusal to obey orders, and cowardice in the face of the enemy.

A total of 71 soldiers from the 3415th Regiment of the FARDC appeared before this court. In addition to the 66 death sentences, one sergeant received a ten-year prison sentence, while four other defendants were acquitted, according to reports.
The soldiers in question were arrested on October 20 in Ngora, following incidents that occurred in Ntoto, in the Walikale territory. The alleged events took place in that area.

This decision comes a few weeks after the death sentence of 27 other Congolese soldiers for "cowardice", after their withdrawal from combat positions against the AFC/M23 rebels.
Through these legal proceedings, the Congolese military authorities intend to enforce discipline within the FARDC.
The security situation remains particularly worrying in this region, where fighting between the Congolese army and the AFC rebel coalition, which includes the M23, continues to weaken the population and complicate stabilization efforts.

Djamila Kambou