A high military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has handed down a death sentence to former president Joseph Kabila in his absence, following his admission to over 120 serious criminal charges. These include war crimes, rape, murder, treason, and leading armed rebellions.
Alongside the death penalty, the court has also ordered Kabila to pay a staggering $33 billion in compensation to the Congolese government. The judges condemned his actions as deeply damaging to national dignity and trust, particularly for someone who once held the nation’s highest office.
Although Kabila officially stepped down from power in 2019, the court claims he continues to fuel conflict in eastern Congo. He is accused of being the top commander behind several rebel movements, most notably the M23 rebel group. The ruling also alleges that Kabila has led meetings with rebel leaders, visited their training camps, and coordinated attacks against the Congolese government.
This legal action followed Kabila’s controversial visit to Goma earlier this year—a city under M23 control—where he was received by the rebels as an honored guest. Since then, he has been seen in public with M23 commanders and religious leaders in what many believe signals his active support for the rebel cause.
In response to the court ruling, the government has ordered the seizure of all Kabila’s assets and suspended operations of his political party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Development (PPRD), citing links to rebel activity. Several top PPRD members have also been detained and are under investigation.
This case further complicates the ongoing crisis in eastern Congo, where M23’s resurgence has led to mass displacement and regional tension. The involvement of a former head of state at the center of such chaos has shocked the nation and sparked calls for greater accountability and justice in the DRC.