Democratic Republic of the Congo Issues Death Sentence in Absentia Against Former President Joseph Kabila

The High Military Court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has issued a death sentence in absentia against former President Joseph Kabila on charges of high treason and war crimes.

Kabila has been on trial in absentia since last July, and his current whereabouts are unknown, after being accused of involvement with the rebel group "M23" and conspiracy and supporting terrorism. The prosecutor requested the death penalty, confirming that the former president collaborated with Rwanda and the rebel movement that took control of key cities in the east of the country during a lightning attack in January, and some of these cities remain under the control of the rebels.

Kabila denied the charges against him, according to the Associated Press, and it is worth noting that Kabila's presidential immunity was revoked in May 2025, paving the way for his formal trial.

Kabila lived in voluntary exile from 2023 until last April, when he arrived in the city of Goma, which is controlled by rebels after they seized it during a rapid attack.

It is noted that Kabila assumed the presidency at the age of 29 after the assassination of his father, former President Laurent Kabila, and later extended his presidential term by postponing elections for two years after his term ended in 2017, which sparked widespread controversy both domestically and internationally.