A military court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has sentenced the nation’s immediate former President, Joseph Kabila, to death in absentia.
The verdict, delivered on 30 September 2025, follows convictions for a range of grave crimes.
The major reason for this severe penalty centres on accusations that Kabila supported the notorious M23 rebel group.
The court found Kabila guilty of various offences, including treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The Core of the Charges: Supporting Rebellion
Joseph Kabila, who governed the DRC from 2001 until 2019, was put on trial in absentia in July 2025.
Prosecutors focused on his alleged support for the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. The M23 seized large areas in the eastern DRC this year, causing widespread conflict.
Specific charges laid against the former leader included murder, sexual assault, torture, and insurrection. These charges were explicitly linked to M23 atrocities in North and South Kivu.
The High Military Court designated Kabila as the “undisputed leader” of the AFC/M23 coalition. He was accused of directing staff meetings and overseeing training centres for the group.
READ TOO: Jowie sentenced to death over Monica Kimani’s murder
Furthermore, the former president was charged with plotting to overthrow the current head of state, President Félix Tshisekedi.
Lieutenant General Joseph Mutombo Katalayi presided over the military tribunal. He confirmed the severity of the punishment upon delivering the verdict.
“Article 7 of the Military Penal Code imposes a single sentence, namely the most severe one, which is the death penalty.”
Political Background and Financial Penalties
The path to prosecution opened after the DRC Senate voted in May 2025 to repeal Kabila’s immunity. President Tshisekedi had publicly accused Kabila of sponsoring the M23 insurgency.
Kabila rejected the entire case against him. He called the courts an “instrument of oppression”. Despite his denials, the trial proceeded without him or any legal representation.
Kabila had gone into exile in 2023. However, he was recently sighted in Goma, an area controlled by M23.
The Question of Enforcement
The DRC lifted a moratorium on the death penalty last year. This moratorium has been in place since 2003. Yet, no judicial executions have actually been carried out since the repeal.
The military court issued an immediate arrest warrant for Kabila. However, his current location is unknown.
by moses sagwe
