66 soldiers sentenced to death for cowardice. Congo tightens penalties for fleeing the front.

On November 6, a military court in Walikale, DRC, sentenced 66 out of 71 soldiers to death for desertion during combat. The army aims to restore discipline amid ongoing conflicts with rebel groups, particularly M23. This follows a broader trend of harsh penalties for military personnel, with over 500 soldiers sentenced since early 2025. The DRC reinstated the death penalty in March 2024, citing the need to combat treason and military crimes, despite criticism from human rights organizations regarding the fairness of trials. No executions have been reported since the moratorium was lifted.