A military tribunal in the Democratic Republic of Congo has delivered a capital punishment verdict against former head of state Joseph Kabila, who governed the nation for nearly two decades. The ruling was made in absentia after the court found him guilty of multiple grave offenses including war crimes, treason, and crimes against humanity.
The legal proceedings centered on accusations that Kabila provided support to M23 rebel forces, who have been advancing through Congo’s turbulent eastern regions with alleged backing from neighboring Rwanda. The former president has consistently refuted these allegations, maintaining that the judicial process has been weaponized for political purposes.
Presiding officer Lt Gen Joseph Mutombo Katalayi announced the conviction covered numerous violations including murder, sexual violence, torture, and armed rebellion. The court applied the most severe penalty available under military law, citing the gravity of the charges. Additionally, Kabila was ordered to pay approximately $50 billion in restitution to both the state and affected civilians.
This judicial decision arrives amid heightened political friction within the resource-rich Central African nation. Kabila, who relinquished power following widespread protests, has spent recent years primarily in South Africa but made a notable appearance in the rebel-occupied city of Goma earlier this year.
Though Kabila initially entered a political arrangement with his successor, President Felix Tshisekedi, their alliance rapidly deteriorated. Tshisekedi has publicly accused his predecessor of orchestrating the M23 insurgency, which now commands significant territory in North and South Kivu provinces. The conflict has resulted in substantial civilian casualties and mass displacement throughout the current year.
While a ceasefire agreement was mediated by American diplomats in June, both government and rebel forces continue to strengthen their military positions amid mutual accusations of violating the truce. The Congolese administration has taken parallel measures to dissolve Kabila’s political organization and confiscate assets belonging to its leadership.
