DR Congo sentences 66 soldiers to death for being 'cowards'
BBC World News (English) · ১০ নভে, ২০২৬
The Congolese army's fight against rebel groups has long been hampered by disarray within its ranks.
পুরো খবরটি পড়ুনBBC World News (English)-এর ওয়েবসাইটে খুলবেমূল কথা
BBC World News (English)-এর প্রতিবেদন থেকে হুবহু উদ্ধৃত
- The Congolese army has been fighting rebels for decades At least 66 soldiers have been sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo for cowardice, mutiny and refusing to obey orders, local media report.
- The sentences followed a trial of 71 soldiers before a military court in Walikale, in North Kivu province, in eastern DR Congo.
- Since the beginning of 2025, at least 507 soldiers have been convicted, including 381 death sentences, according to figures compiled by French broadcaster RFI. In October 2025, former Congolese President Joseph Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia on charges including war crimes and treason.
বিসিএস ও ভর্তি পরীক্ষা তথ্য ছক (Exam Fact Sheet)
হাই-ইল্ড ডেটাপ্রিলিমিনারি নৈর্ব্যক্তিক ও লিখিত রচনায় কোটেশনযোগ্য সুনির্দিষ্ট পরিসংখ্যান
| ধরন | তথ্য | প্রতিবেদনের যে বাক্য থেকে নেওয়া |
|---|---|---|
Figure | 10 years | “Four soldiers were acquitted, while another was sentenced to 10 years in prison.” |
Date | 20 October | “The soldiers were reportedly arrested on 20 October in Walikale, where they were accused of abandoning their positions and fleeing during clashes with FRN fighters.” |
Date | March 2024 | “In March 2024, DR Congo lifted a 20-year moratorium on the death penalty, citing the need to remove "traitors" within the army.” |
Date | October 2025 | “Since the beginning of 2025, at least 507 soldiers have been convicted, including 381 death sentences, according to figures compiled by French broadcaster RFI. In October 2025, former Congolese President Joseph Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia on charges including war crimes and treason.” |
শব্দভাণ্ডার ও বাস্তব প্রয়োগ ছক (Vocabulary Matrix)
2টি মূল শব্দএই প্রতিবেদন থেকে বাছাই করা শব্দ: অর্থ, উচ্চারণ ও প্রতিবেদনে ব্যবহার
The decision or judgement of a jury or court; a verdict.
Synonyms: conviction, verdict
“The sentences followed a trial of 71 soldiers before a military court in Walikale, in North Kivu province, in eastern DR Congo.”
Of, facing, situated in, or related to the east.
“The sentences followed a trial of 71 soldiers before a military court in Walikale, in North Kivu province, in eastern DR Congo.”
Words chosen from this story. English meanings: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA), via the Free Dictionary API.
IELTS Reading practice
Read the passage, then answer the questions. Every answer is in the passage.
The Congolese army has been fighting rebels for decades
At least 66 soldiers have been sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo for cowardice, mutiny and refusing to obey orders, local media report.
The sentences followed a trial of 71 soldiers before a military court in Walikale, in North Kivu province, in eastern DR Congo. Four soldiers were acquitted, while another was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The army said the trial was intended to improve discipline among troops as they battle armed groups in eastern DR Congo.
A part of a report by BBC World News (English).Read the full story
Question 1: Choose the correct answer.
1.At least _____ soldiers have been sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo for cowardice, mutiny and refusing to obey orders, local media report.
Question 2: Complete the sentence. Write ONE WORD from the passage.
2.The _____ followed a trial of 71 soldiers before a military court in Walikale, in North Kivu province, in eastern DR Congo.
Questions 3–4: Do the following statements agree with the passage? Choose TRUE or FALSE.
3.Four soldiers were acquitted, while another was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
4.The Congolese army has been fighting rebels for decades
Writing practice
IELTS Writing Task 2 style · Topic: Courts & justice
Some people say it is better for a guilty person to go free than for an innocent person to be punished. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Write a short answer of 4–5 sentences (30–250 words). State your opinion clearly, give a reason, and use a fact from this story as an example.
Log in to submit your writing and get feedback.
পাঠোত্তর প্রতিফলন ও সারসংক্ষেপ অনুশীলন (Active Recall)
প্রতিবেদনটি পড়া শেষ করার পর মূল ভাবটি নিজের ভাষায় ২-৩ বাক্যে লিখুন। এটি বিসিএস লিখিত ও ভর্তি পরীক্ষার ফোকাস রাইটিংয়ে আপনার নিজের ভাষায় উত্তর লেখার সক্ষমতা বহু গুণ বাড়িয়ে দেবে।