A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced former President Joseph Kabila to death in absentia. He was accused of treason for allegedly supporting the M23 rebel group in the east of the country. Kabila was also convicted of war crimes related to decisions made during military conflicts while in office. He is believed to be in Goma, a city controlled by the M23.
The court insisted that it was proven that Kabila is “the boss or the direct responsible of the current movement here the M23 rebels”. However, the report highlights that the court did not provide concrete proof, such as bank records, to show Kabila was financing the movement. The court’s primary evidence was Kabila’s return to Goma, an area under M23 control, which local populations attribute to political threats from Felix Tshisekedi, the current president.
The question remains about what happens next, given that the DRC government lacks the means to arrest Kabila, who has strong support in the M23-controlled Goma and maintains a low public profile.
