DR Congo Prosecutor Demands Death Penalty for Ex-President Joseph Kabila in Treason Trial
A military prosecutor in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has demanded the death penalty for former president Joseph Kabila, who is being tried in absentia on charges of treason and war crimes.
Kabila’s political party denounced the proceedings, calling it “a political trial.”
General Lucien Rene Likulia urged the judges to convict Kabila for treason, war crimes, and leading an insurrection.
The 53-year-old ex-president has been on trial since July in his absence. He is accused of backing Rwanda-linked M23 rebels, plotting to overthrow President Felix Tshisekedi, and being responsible for crimes such as homicide, torture, and rape.
According to prosecutors, the M23 rebellion in eastern Congo caused “immense prejudice” to the country, and Kabila bore direct criminal responsibility. Likulia claimed Kabila, working with Rwanda, attempted to stage a coup against Tshisekedi with the help of Corneille Nangaa, the former head of the electoral commission.
Nangaa, who fled the country, later announced the creation of the Congo River Alliance (AFC) in December 2023. The rebel coalition includes the M23 group. Court documents describe Kabila as “one of the initiators” of the AFC.
Opposition Denounces the Case
Ferdinand Kambere, deputy secretary-general of Kabila’s PPRD party, condemned the prosecution.
“It’s a political trial, the regime is trying to hide its diplomatic and military failures,” he told AFP. He added that the current judicial climate “does not guarantee a fair trial.”
Kabila himself has rejected the case, describing the courts as “an instrument of oppression.”
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The indictment also accuses him of being behind atrocities committed by M23 fighters in North and South Kivu, including the seizure of Goma city in January. Kabila was seen in Goma in May, where he met local religious leaders alongside M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka.
Tshisekedi Blames Kabila for Rebel Violence
President Tshisekedi has repeatedly branded Kabila as the mastermind behind the rebel movement that has captured large parts of eastern DRC with alleged support from Rwanda. While Kigali denies providing military aid, UN experts say Rwanda’s army played a “critical” role in M23’s advances.
In contrast, leaders of the AFC and M23, including executive secretary Benjamin Mbonimpa, have tried to distance the rebel groups from Kabila.
Kabila’s Legacy
Joseph Kabila ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019 after the assassination of his father, Laurent Kabila. Although he has lived outside the country since 2023, he still wields strong political influence. He has labeled Tshisekedi’s government a “dictatorship.”
The DRC lifted its moratorium on the death penalty last year, though no executions have been carried out for decades.
The conflict in eastern Congo has lasted more than 30 years, driven by rival armed groups. Violence has escalated since the M23 resurgence in 2021, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the mineral-rich region.
DR Congo Prosecutor Demands Death Penalty for Ex-President Joseph Kabila in Treason Trial
