Congo hands Kabila death sentence in absentia

Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has been sentenced to death in absentia on charges of treason, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

A military court convicted him on Friday of backing the M23 rebel group, which has unleashed devastation across eastern DR Congo.

The charges included murder, sexual assault, torture and leading an armed insurrection.

Kabila, who denied any wrongdoing, did not attend the trial. He dismissed the case as “arbitrary” and accused the judiciary of serving as “an instrument of oppression.” His current location is unknown.

The 54-year-old ruled Africa’s second-largest nation for 18 years after succeeding his father Laurent, who was assassinated in 2001.

During his presidency, the country endured recurring armed conflicts, disputed elections, and persistent insecurity in the east.

Kabila supported Félix Tshisekedi during the contentious 2019 presidential election, but their alliance collapsed. In 2023, Kabila left the country for self-imposed exile.

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He returned to the spotlight earlier this year when he visited Goma, then under M23 control, presenting himself as a peace broker.

President Tshisekedi accused his predecessor of orchestrating the rebellion and pushed the Senate to strip Kabila of legal immunity.

This opened the way for his prosecution on charges linking him directly to the insurgency.

The crisis in eastern DR Congo has worsened in recent months. The M23, originally formed by former Congolese soldiers, captured Goma, Bukavu, and key airports earlier this year, consolidating control over mineral-rich areas.

The United Nations and several Western governments have pointed to Rwanda’s involvement in supporting the rebels and sending troops into Congolese territory.

Kigali rejected the accusations, insisting its actions were aimed at preventing the conflict from spilling over its borders.

Despite a ceasefire agreement signed in July between M23 and the Congolese government, clashes have continued, leaving civilians trapped in a cycle of violence and displacement.

BBC News