A military court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has sentenced former President Joseph Kabila to death in absentia after convicting him of war crimes, treason, and crimes against humanity. The case stems from his alleged role in backing the advance of M23 rebels supported by Rwanda in DRC’s volatile eastern provinces.
Kabila, who led the country from 2001 to 2019, has denied wrongdoing and claimed the judiciary had been politicized. The court found him guilty of charges including murder, sexual assault, torture, and insurrection.
The former president did not attend the trial and was not represented by legal counsel. The court imposed the death penalty, citing article 7 of the military penal code. Kabila was also ordered to pay approximately $50 billion in damages to the state and victims.
Kabila spent almost 20 years in power and stepped down after deadly protests against him. He has been living mostly in South Africa since 2023. His successor, Felix Tshisekedi, has accused him of sponsoring the M23 insurgency, which has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands in eastern DRC.
The sentencing has significant implications for Kabila and the DRC’s complex political landscape. The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have been a major force in the region, and Kabila’s alleged involvement has been a point of contention. The court’s verdict highlights the ongoing struggles for power and accountability in the DRC.
