A military court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has handed down a dramatic ruling against former president Joseph Kabila, sentencing him to death in absentia on charges that include treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The judgment, announced on Tuesday in Kinshasa, marks one of the most significant legal decisions against a former African head of state in recent history, setting the stage for heightened political tensions in the volatile central African nation.
The presiding judge, Lt-Gen Joseph Mutombo Katalayi, detailed the court’s findings, declaring that Kabila had been found guilty of a catalogue of grave offences ranging from murder and sexual violence to torture, insurrection, and abuse of state power during his nearly two-decade rule. “The accused Joseph Kabila Kabange is convicted of the crimes of treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations against the civilian population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Katalayi stated during the ruling.
The verdict comes after months of military-led investigations and proceedings conducted under the DRC’s strict military tribunal system. Human rights groups have long accused Congolese courts of being vulnerable to political influence, but supporters of the ruling insist that it represents long-overdue accountability for alleged atrocities committed under Kabila’s leadership.
Joseph Kabila assumed power in January 2001 following the assassination of his father, Laurent-Désiré Kabila, who himself had toppled longtime ruler Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997. Initially hailed as a stabilising figure, Joseph Kabila went on to govern for 18 years, becoming one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. His presidency, however, was marked by recurring conflict in the mineral-rich eastern provinces, widespread allegations of corruption, and repeated accusations of serious human rights violations by government forces and aligned militias.
Joseph Kabila’s legitimacy began to erode sharply in 2016 when he delayed elections at the end of his constitutionally mandated second term. Mass protests erupted across the country, with security forces accused of violently suppressing dissent. Reports from international watchdogs documented killings, arbitrary arrests, and disappearances of opposition activists during that period. He eventually stepped down in 2019, transferring power to Félix Tshisekedi after a disputed election, though many critics alleged he continued to exert influence from behind the scenes.
Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila Sentenced to Death in Absentia by Military Court
Since late 2023, Kabila has largely been based in South Africa, where he reportedly maintains business and political networks. Despite his exile, the former president briefly re-emerged in May this year when he was seen in Goma, a city in eastern DRC controlled by rebel forces linked to the M23 movement. His appearance fuelled speculation about his ties to armed groups and his potential involvement in destabilising Tshisekedi’s government.
The military court cited his alleged association with insurgents as further evidence of treason and insurrection. Prosecutors argued that Kabila’s presence in Goma was not merely symbolic but an indication of active coordination with rebel forces accused of terrorising civilians.
The death sentence has already begun to reverberate across the region. While Congolese state media hailed the ruling as a victory for justice, opposition parties and international observers expressed concern over the fairness of the trial. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch both issued statements urging caution, warning that military tribunals often lack transparency and fail to meet international standards of due process.
In South Africa, where Joseph Kabila currently resides, legal experts are debating whether the ruling could lead to extradition requests or political asylum claims. South Africa is a signatory to several international treaties on extradition, but officials in Pretoria have not yet issued an official response. Analysts suggest that any attempt to return Kabila to the DRC would ignite a diplomatic standoff, given the country’s ongoing instability and the political sensitivity of executing a former president.
The sentencing is likely to deepen political divisions within the DRC. Supporters of the current government argue that it demonstrates President Tshisekedi’s determination to break with a past marred by impunity and authoritarianism. However, critics caution that pursuing the death penalty against a former leader could inflame violence, especially in areas where Kabila retains influence.
Some observers fear the ruling may embolden rebel groups, who could present themselves as defenders of Kabila or exploit discontent among his loyalists. Others argue it could serve as a warning to political elites that impunity is no longer guaranteed.
As the DRC continues to grapple with recurring conflict, weak institutions, and contested elections, the trial and sentencing of Joseph Kabila mark a watershed moment in the country’s turbulent history. Whether it ushers in greater accountability or plunges the nation into deeper instability remains to be seen.
For now, Joseph Kabila remains beyond the reach of Congolese authorities, his fate dependent on the interplay of domestic politics, regional diplomacy, and the willingness of international actors to engage with one of Africa’s most controversial rulings in recent memory.
Source- Bulawayo24
