Ex-Congolese Leader Joseph Kabila Sentenced To Death

Joseph Kabila, who previously served as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has received a death sentence in absentia on charges of war crimes and treason.

The allegations relate to claims that Kabila has provided support to M23, a militant organization that has caused widespread destruction throughout the nation’s eastern territories.

On Friday, a military tribunal found Kabila guilty of treason, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, which included murder, sexual assault, torture and insurrection.

While he denied these allegations, he was absent from court proceedings and did not mount a defense.

The former leader dismissed the proceedings as “arbitrary” and characterized the judicial system as an “instrument of oppression.”

His present location remains undisclosed.

Additionally, the tribunal mandated he pay $33bn (£25bn) in fines.

Kikaya Bin Karubi, a former minister and one of Kabila’s supporters, told the BBC’s Newsday program that the entire proceeding had been “theatrical” and represented an illustration of President Félix Tshisekedi’s dictatorship.

He stated that no evidence had been presented to the court demonstrating a connection between Kabila and the M23 militant group.

Bertrand Bisimwa, the leader of M23, posted on X that the ruling represented a breach of ongoing peace negotiations with the government.

The 54-year-old Kabila governed DR Congo for nearly two decades after taking over from his father Laurent, who was assassinated in 2001.

Related: Rwanda Is Ready For War Against Congo, Says Kagame

In the contentious 2019 electoral race, Kabila supported Tshisekedi, though their relationship subsequently deteriorated, leading Kabila to enter voluntary exile in 2023.

This past April, the former president expressed his desire to contribute to resolving the lethal conflict in the eastern region and traveled to the M23-controlled city of Goma in May.

President Tshisekedi pointed to Kabila as the mastermind behind M23, and legislators removed his legal immunity, making his prosecution possible.

Longstanding conflict intensified earlier this year as M23 captured significant portions of the resource-abundant eastern region, including Goma, Bukavu city, and two aviation facilities.

The United Nations and multiple Western nations have alleged that Rwanda, a neighboring country, is supporting M23 and has deployed thousands of troops into DR Congo territory.

However, Kigali rejects these accusations, asserting it is taking action to prevent the conflict from extending into its own borders.

Although a ceasefire agreement between the militants and the government was reached in July, violence has persisted.