In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the wider region, former President Joseph Kabila has been sentenced to death in absentia by a military court. The 54-year-old ex-leader, who governed the DRC for 18 years, was convicted of treason, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, including murder, sexual assault, torture, and insurrection.
The charges center on allegations that Kabila provided support to the M23 rebel group, which has inflicted devastating violence across the mineral-rich eastern provinces. Kabila did not appear in court to defend himself, rejecting the trial as “arbitrary” and describing the judiciary as an “instrument of oppression.”
Alongside the death sentence, the court ordered Kabila to pay a staggering fine of $33 billion (£25 billion). His current location remains unknown.
Kabila’s former ally and minister, Kikaya Bin Karubi, described the trial as “theatrical” and accused President Félix Tshisekedi of using the proceedings to consolidate power. “The court did not see any evidence linking Kabila to the M23,” Bin Karubi told BBC’s Newsday.
M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa condemned the sentence, posting on X that it violated ongoing peace talks between the rebel group and the government.
Kabila ascended to the presidency in 2001 following the assassination of his father, Laurent-Désiré Kabila. He remained in power until 2019, when Félix Tshisekedi was controversially elected, initially with Kabila’s backing. The two leaders later fell out, prompting Kabila to enter self-imposed exile in 2023.
Earlier this year, Kabila sought to involve himself in peace efforts in the east, visiting the M23-held city of Goma in May to propose solutions to the ongoing conflict. Tshisekedi, however, accused him of orchestrating the violence behind the scenes, leading senators to strip Kabila of his legal immunity and allowing his prosecution to proceed.
The M23 insurgency escalated dramatically in early 2025, capturing key territories including Goma, Bukavu, and two regional airports. The United Nations and several Western governments have accused neighboring Rwanda of backing the rebels and deploying troops into DRC, charges Kigali has consistently denied, asserting that its actions were aimed at preventing the conflict from spreading across its border.
Although a ceasefire agreement was reached in July, sporadic fighting has continued, highlighting the fragility of peace in the region. Analysts warn that Kabila’s sentencing could further destabilize the already volatile eastern provinces, potentially complicating ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
As the DRC grapples with decades of conflict and the challenge of holding former leaders accountable, the international community watches closely, aware that the outcome could have far-reaching implications for regional stability and the rule of law in Central Africa.
By FCCT Editorial Team
, an independent military force, and allied militias in Sudan raped several dozen women and girls in West Darfur’s capital, El Geneina, and those fleeing to Chad between late April and late June 2023, Human Rights Watch said today. The assailants appear to have targeted people because of their Massalit ethnicity and, in some cases, because they were known activists.){kind=link}