A military court in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 27 soldiers to death after convicting them of “cowardice” for abandoning front-line positions during fighting with AFC/M23 rebels.
The soldiers were among at least 112 members of the Congolese army’s 21st Simba Battalion put on trial before a military court in Uvira, South Kivu province, from September 15.
Prosecutors accused the troops of disobeying orders and withdrawing from positions during clashes with AFC/M23 fighters in August. The soldiers had been deployed to secure strategic areas overlooking Uvira.
According to court documents, 54 other soldiers were sentenced on Friday to five years in prison for violating military instructions, while 10 received six-month prison terms.
Another 21 soldiers, including five women, were acquitted because of insufficient evidence.
The ruling comes as fighting continues between Congolese government forces and AFC/M23 fighters in Uvira territory, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefire arrangements.
Congolese military courts have handed down similar sentences during the conflict. In May, 58 soldiers were sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of violating orders by retreating from front-line positions during clashes with AFC/M23.
The M23 movement has emerged as the dominant armed force across large parts of eastern Congo, controlling significant territory including Goma and Bukavu, the capitals of North and South Kivu provinces, which it captured in early 2025.
The Congolese government, the United Nations and several Western governments accuse neighbouring Rwanda of supporting M23. Rwanda denies backing the group.
