A military tribunal in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has sentenced former president Joseph Kabila to death in absentia, convicting him of treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday in Kinshasa, is among the most striking judicial decisions ever issued against a former African head of state and is expected to escalate political tensions in a nation already plagued by instability.
Announcing the ruling, presiding judge Lt-Gen Joseph Mutombo Katalayi said Kabila was found guilty of a catalogue of serious crimes committed during his 18 years in office. These included murder, sexual assault, torture, insurrection, and the abuse of state power. “The accused Joseph Kabila Kabange is convicted of treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and systematic violations against the Congolese civilian population,” Katalayi declared, outlining the court’s findings.
The case followed months of investigations led by the military, with prosecutors presenting evidence that Joseph Kabila presided over and at times orchestrated violent campaigns against civilians. While human rights groups have long accused Congolese courts of being vulnerable to political pressure, supporters of the ruling say it is an unprecedented step toward justice for communities devastated by conflict and state brutality.
Joseph Kabila came to power in January 2001 after the assassination of his father, Laurent-Désiré Kabila, who had toppled Mobutu Sese Seko’s 32-year dictatorship just four years earlier. The younger Kabila, then in his late 20s, was initially welcomed as a potential reformer who could stabilise the vast central African nation.
However, his presidency soon became associated with recurrent conflict, particularly in the mineral-rich east. Successive reports from the United Nations and independent monitors accused Congolese forces and allied militias of atrocities, including massacres and widespread sexual violence. Allegations of corruption at the highest levels of government also grew, even as Kabila extended his tenure well beyond constitutional limits.
Former DRC President Joseph Kabila Sentenced to Death in Absentia
The legitimacy of his rule came under sharp scrutiny in 2016 when he delayed elections at the end of his second term. Mass protests erupted across major cities, and security forces were accused of killing demonstrators and silencing opposition voices. International organisations documented arbitrary arrests, disappearances, and systemic repression. Although Kabila eventually stood aside in 2019, handing power to Félix Tshisekedi after a disputed election, many Congolese and foreign analysts argued he continued to wield influence behind the scenes.
Since late 2023, Joseph Kabila has been living mostly in South Africa, where he is believed to maintain business and political connections. Despite this exile, he made headlines in May when he appeared in Goma, an eastern city under the sway of the M23 rebel movement. His presence in a rebel-controlled zone triggered speculation about his ties to armed groups destabilising the region.
The military tribunal cited his Goma visit as evidence of treason and insurrection, arguing that it reflected not only sympathy with insurgents but active coordination. Prosecutors maintained that Kabila’s actions undermined national security and emboldened groups accused of terrorising civilians.
The ruling has drawn swift reactions both inside and outside the DRC. State media celebrated it as a milestone for accountability, presenting the decision as part of President Tshisekedi’s broader push to break with a legacy of impunity. Yet opposition figures and international observers questioned the fairness of the proceedings, noting that military tribunals in the DRC are often criticised for lacking independence and transparency.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch called for caution, warning that the process must meet international legal standards. Both organisations emphasised that while victims deserve justice, it must be pursued through credible, impartial mechanisms rather than trials that risk being perceived as politically motivated.
In South Africa, where Joseph Kabila resides, the ruling has prompted debate among legal and political analysts about possible extradition requests. South Africa is bound by several extradition treaties, but Pretoria has not yet issued an official response. Experts caution that handing over a former head of state facing the death penalty could trigger both a diplomatic standoff and domestic political challenges.
Within the DRC, the sentence is expected to deepen already tense divisions. Government supporters argue it sends a clear message that no leader is above the law, while critics fear it could inflame violence in regions where Kabila remains popular. Rebel movements, analysts warn, may attempt to exploit the ruling by portraying themselves as protectors of Kabila and his legacy.
Others see the decision as a turning point that could reshape Congolese politics. “This verdict shows that impunity, even at the highest levels, may finally be challenged,” said a Kinshasa-based political analyst. “But the danger is that it might also reopen wounds and destabilise the fragile balance in the country.”
The DRC, long plagued by cyclical conflict, weak institutions, and disputed elections, now faces a new chapter in its political journey. The trial and sentencing of Joseph Kabila mark a defining moment: it is either the beginning of genuine accountability for decades of abuses or a step that risks plunging the nation into further turmoil.
For now, Joseph Kabila remains outside Congolese jurisdiction, his future hanging on regional diplomacy and the willingness of South African authorities to act. Whether the death sentence is ever enforced, the ruling underscores how the shadow of his controversial presidency continues to shape the trajectory of the DRC.
Source- Bulawayo24
