Former President sentenced to death for treason, war crimes
A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has sentenced former president Joseph Kabila to death in absentia, finding him guilty of treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The verdict was delivered in Kinshasa by Lieutenant General Joseph Mutombo Katalayi, who presided over the tribunal. Kabila, who has not appeared in court, was tried without legal representation.
The court held that Kabila collaborated with the M23 rebel group, an armed movement that has seized control of key parts of the country’s east, to destabilise the state.
In its ruling, the court cited actions attributed to Kabila including murder, sexual assault, torture, insurrection, and defiance of state authority.
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In applying Article 7 of the Military Penal Code, Katalayi stated that the “single sentence” appropriate for the combined crimes was the death penalty.
The former president was also ordered to pay around $50 billion in damages to the Congolese state and victims of the crimes.
Kabila led the country from 2001 until 2019, after which he left office amid calls for political reform. Since late 2023, his whereabouts have been uncertain, although he has made public appearances in rebel-held areas.
His immunity as a lifetime senator was revoked earlier in the year, paving the way for criminal proceedings. The Senate had approved the move in May 2025.
Kabila has consistently denied any wrongdoing and previously labelled legal actions against him as politically motivated.
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The trial began in absentia in July 2025, as the court determined it could proceed without his physical attendance.
At no point did Kabila’s legal team or representatives appear in court to defend him. The court noted his absence and proceeded under the relevant military and procedural rules.
News of the sentence was released shortly after the hearing, with no immediate confirmation of how the judgment will be enforced.
Execution of the sentence would face several legal and logistical challenges, given Kabila’s status outside the country and the political weight it carries.
While appeals may be possible, they would generally pertain to procedural matters rather than a full retrial of the underlying justice of the case.
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