DRC: Former president Joseph Kabila sentenced to death for treason
The military court of the Democratic Republic of Congo has rendered a verdict against Joseph Kabila, the former president. On Tue, Oct 31, 2023, Kabila was convicted of treason and other charges and sentenced to death.
The military court of the Democratic Republic of Congo has rendered a verdict against Joseph Kabila, the former president. On Tue, Oct 31, 2023, Kabila was convicted of treason and other charges and sentenced to death.
The high military court in Kinshasa found Kabila guilty of treason, war crimes, conspiracy, and organizing an insurrection with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Kabila has been ordered to pay $29 billion in damages to Congo, along with $2 billion each to the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu. The court has also ordered his immediate arrest.
Kabila, whose trial has been conducted in absentia since July, is accused of treason, involvement in an insurrection movement, conspiracy, and supporting terrorism. The prosecutor had requested the death penalty in August 2023.
The military court of the Democratic Republic of Congo has rendered a verdict against Joseph Kabila, the former president.
Government statements allege that Kabila collaborated with Rwanda and the M23 rebels, who seized key cities in eastern Congo in January 2023. These allegations have been denied by Kabila, who led from 2001 to 2019.
In May 2023, the country's senate voted to repeal Kabila's immunity from prosecution. Kabila, who was in self-imposed exile outside Congo, returned to Goma in April 2023. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
