DR Congo Sentences Ex‑President Kabila to Death

On Sept. 30 a military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo sentenced former president Joseph Kabila to death in absentia, convicting him of treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, murder, sexual assault, torture and insurrection. The tribunal concluded he colluded with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group and, prosecutors say, with Rwanda, citing testimony that he regularly communicated with rebel leaders and effectively directed the insurgency. The court ordered his immediate arrest and massive reparations, including a $29 billion judgment to the state plus additional awards to North and South Kivu. Kabila’s senatorial immunity was lifted to allow the trial, which was held without his legal representation; he remains out of reach after a brief appearance in rebel-held Goma in May and spending much of 2024–25 abroad. His party called the verdict politically motivated, some provincial representatives welcomed the ruling, and observers flagged questions about the speed and fairness of the proceedings as Kinshasa appears intent on neutralizing Kabila amid the eastern conflict.