MWE Correspondent
A military tribunal in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has sentenced former President Joseph Kabila to death in absentia, convicting him of multiple grave offenses including treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and murder.
The verdict, delivered on September 30, 2025, represents one of the most dramatic legal actions against a former African head of state in recent years.
The ruling was handed down in Kinshasa by Lieutenant-General Joseph Mutombo Katalayi, who presided over the military court. He declared that the seriousness of the crimes left no alternative but the death penalty. The court further ordered Kabila to pay approximately 50 billion US dollars in damages to the state and victims of atrocities.
Kabila, who rose to power in 2001 after the assassination of his father, spent nearly two decades at the helm of the DRC before stepping down in 2019 amid mass protests. Since late 2023, he has lived mostly in South Africa, though he briefly appeared in the rebel-held city of Goma earlier this year. His absence from court proceedings meant he did not offer a defense or legal representation.
The charges against him stem largely from alleged support of the M23 rebel group, which has seized swathes of territory in eastern Congo. Prosecutors accused Kabila of fueling the conflict and enabling atrocities such as killings, rape, and forced displacement of civilians.
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The conviction has heightened political tensions in the country. President Félix Tshisekedi’s government has long accused Kabila of destabilizing the east, while Kabila’s allies insist the charges are politically motivated. Many of his supporters have denounced the trial as an attempt to silence one of Congo’s most influential figures.
Legal experts note that while the ruling can be appealed to the Court of Cassation, the appeal process only considers procedural issues rather than the substance of the case. Critics also highlight concerns over the fairness of trying a former head of state without his presence or defense.
The decision comes as the DRC grapples with a deepening humanitarian crisis. Fighting between government forces, M23 rebels, and other armed groups has displaced millions and left thousands dead in the eastern provinces. Observers fear that the court ruling could worsen divisions and potentially intensify instability in the region.
Although death sentences are issued in Congo, executions are extremely rare. Analysts suggest the symbolic weight of the ruling may carry more political impact than practical enforcement, especially given Kabila’s current residence outside the country.
