Congolese prosecutor demands death penalty against former president Joseph Kabila

A Congolese prosecutor demands the death penalty against former president Joseph Kabila. The former leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is accused, among other things, of committing war crimes, betrayal and conspiracy. The accusations are about his support for rebel group M23.

The rebels, which are also supported from neighboring Ruanda, have taken towns and villages in the east of Congo in recent months. M23 is accused of gross human rights violations, including killing duizenden burgers, het plegen van groepsverkrachtingen en het recruiting child soldiers.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi said last year that Kabila and M23 prepared a rebellion. Kabila contradicts that.

Politically motivated

Kabila was the ruler in Congo from 2011 to 2019. He joined after the murder of his father, former president Laurent Kabila. The charges do not relate to possible criminal offenses in the time he was president.

Supporters of Kabila say that the process is politically motivated and is a shame for the Republic. “It looks more like a settlement than finding truth,” says a researcher of Kivu Security Tracker, a non-profit organization that monitors the activities of armed groups in Congo.

Peace negotiations

In July, the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 signed a principle agreement for a permanent ceasefire. There is no definitively closed yet. It is not yet known whether the requirement against Kabila will influence peace negotiations.

Kabila has been living in exile since 2023. He imposed that himself. He stays abroad, but where exactly is not known. He was last seen in the region in the east of Congo taken by M23.

Kabila’s presidential immunity was in May >>>> A military court deals with the case against him in absentia. No date has yet been set for the judgment.