A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced former President Joseph Kabila to death in absentia after finding him guilty of war crimes, treason and crimes against humanity. The ruling, issued on September 30, accused Kabila of backing the M23 rebel group which has seized territory in the east of the country. Judges said he was responsible for organizing an insurrection and for crimes such as murder, rape, torture and forced land occupation.
Kabila, who ruled Congo from 2001 to 2019, was not present during the hearings. His immunity as a former lawmaker was removed earlier this year, opening the way for prosecution. He is believed to be living abroad, mostly in South Africa, and has long denied the accusations, saying the process is politically motivated.
The court also ordered him to pay more than 30 billion US dollars in damages to the Congolese state and to provinces affected by violence, with North and South Kivu earmarked for large sums of compensation. The sentencing comes at a time of renewed tension in the east, where M23 rebels continue to control key areas and have displaced thousands of civilians.
Although Congo recently lifted its moratorium on the death penalty, no executions have yet been carried out. Legal experts say it is unclear how the ruling will be enforced given Kabila’s absence and his position as a former head of state.
