Joseph Kabila, the former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has been given a death sentence. The ruling was given in absentia by a military court. Kabila, who ruled the country for nearly 20 years from 2001 until his resignation in 2019, faced multiple serious charges including murder, sexual assault, torture, and insurrection. Kabila has largely resided in South Africa since 2023. He resigned under pressure from violent demonstrations against his government.
The military court’s decision marks a significant moment in the DRC’s ongoing political turmoil. In announcing the length of the sentence, Lt Gen Joseph Mutombo Katalayi made clear that the court’s decision was serious.
“In applying article 7 of the military penal code, [the court] imposes a single sentence, namely the most severe one, which is the death penalty,” – Lt Gen Joseph Mutombo Katalayi
Even with Kabila absent and non-represented by any defense attorney, the trial still went on. Legitimacy of the trial became an issue in and of itself. For the latter reason, he is now facing criminal charges for allegedly funding the M23 rebels. This clan is blamed for severely destabilizing the eastern provinces of the DRC with support from neighboring Rwanda. The military court ordered Kabila to pay at least $50 billion in damages. This figure represents the minimum appropriate penalty for the state and victims harmed.
During Kabila’s second presidency, he ruled over surging civil unrest and opposition, forcing him to flee the country following deadly demonstrations. His tenure has been marred by accusations of crimes against humanity and corruption. Kabila has faced these serious allegations, but he has largely denied any responsibility or wrongdoing, claiming that the judiciary has been weaponized and politicized against him.
The ruling coalition, headed by new President Felix Tshisekedi has sought to have Kabila’s party suspended from the political stage. They’re confiscating personal assets from its leaders, a move that is further inoculating an already conflict-ridden nation’s political divide. Kabila and Tshisekedi had entered into a controversial power-sharing arrangement following the 2018 elections. History’s critics contend that this decision has only ignited the lasting turmoil seen in the area today.
Kabila’s sentencing risks escalating the cleavages in the DRC. This country, awash in gems and gold, has endured 30 years of brutal civil war. Observers are incredibly concerned that this verdict might lead to even more violence. The country has been plagued by poor governance and instability for over a decade.
Kabila’s last known public appearance was in May. He was traveling in Goma, a city in eastern DRC then under the control of rebels. His absence from the trial and subsequent sentencing underscores the complexities of his legacy and the ongoing challenges facing the DRC.