Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has been sentenced to death in absentia by a military court on charges of treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The court found him guilty of supporting the M23 rebel group, accused of widespread atrocities in the country’s eastern region. The charges include murder, sexual assault, torture, and insurrection. Kabila denied the allegations, calling the trial “arbitrary” and the judiciary an “instrument of oppression,” but he did not appear in court to defend himself. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
Kabila, 54, ruled DR Congo for 18 years after the assassination of his father, Laurent Kabila, in 2001. He handed power to Félix Tshisekedi in 2019 but went into self-imposed exile in 2023 following political tensions with his successor. Earlier this year, he re-emerged in the M23-controlled city of Goma, saying he wanted to contribute to peace efforts in the east.
Tshisekedi, however, accused him of orchestrating the rebellion. Lawmakers stripped Kabila of his immunity, clearing the way for prosecution.
The M23 insurgency has intensified this year, with the rebels seizing Goma, Bukavu, and key airports. The United Nations and several Western nations accuse Rwanda of backing the group, while Kigali denies involvement, insisting its actions aim to protect its borders.
A ceasefire signed in July has so far failed to stop the violence.
Source:Africa Publicity
