In a stunning legal development, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s military court has handed down a death sentence in absentia to former President Joseph Kabila, convicting him of crimes ranging from murder, sexual assault, torture, treason, and support for armed rebellion.
The ruling, delivered Tuesday in Kinshasa, marks an unprecedented moment in the country’s history as the once-powerful leader, who governed from 2001 to 2019, was declared guilty of orchestrating atrocities and aiding the M23 rebel group, which has seized control of swathes of eastern Congo.
The court further ordered Kabila to pay US $50 billion in reparations to the Congolese state and to victims affected by rebel violence. Prosecutors accused him of colluding with foreign governments, financing armed groups, and fueling instability that has claimed thousands of lives.
Kabila did not attend the proceedings, and no defense team was present on his behalf. His exact whereabouts remain unknown, and his allies have described the trial as a politically motivated campaign.
The former president, once hailed for steering Congo through a fragile post-war transition, has repeatedly dismissed allegations of wrongdoing. However, today’s verdict dramatically shifts the narrative, placing him at the center of accountability efforts in a country still scarred by decades of conflict.
International observers have warned that the decision could further inflame tensions, especially in the volatile eastern provinces, where the M23 insurgency continues to destabilize communities. Human rights groups are now pressing for transparency in the judicial process, while regional leaders watch closely for any fallout.
The DRC government has yet to comment on whether it will seek Kabila’s extradition from abroad, but officials hinted that additional investigations into his network of allies are underway.
For many Congolese, the ruling symbolizes a rare act of judicial defiance against a former head of state. For others, it raises questions about political motives and the fairness of a trial conducted in absentia.
What remains certain is that the legacy of Joseph Kabila, once a dominant figure in African politics, has now been overshadowed by one of the most severe judgments ever issued against a former president on the continent.
