Keypoints:
- Former president on trial in absentia
- Prosecutor calls for death penalty
- Kabila accused of backing M23 rebels
A MILITARY prosecutor in the Democratic Republic of Congo has demanded the death penalty for former President Joseph Kabila, who is being tried in absentia on charges of treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
General Lucien René Likulia pressed for the maximum punishment in court on Friday, adding requests for separate prison terms tied to Kabila’s alleged role in atrocities and conspiracy during his presidency.
Two decades under scrutiny
Kabila ruled Africa’s second-largest nation from 2001 until 2019, after taking office at just 29 following the assassination of his father Laurent-Désiré Kabila. His time in power was marked by recurrent wars, accusations of widespread corruption and international criticism after he extended his stay by delaying elections for two years beyond the end of his mandate in 2017.
The former head of state is accused of overseeing war crimes including murder and rape throughout his nearly two-decade rule. The sweeping treason case against him has been ongoing since July 2025.
Rebel links alleged
Authorities in Kinshasa claim Kabila provided support to the M23 rebellion, which in recent months has captured several towns and strategic cities in eastern Congo. President Félix Tshisekedi last year accused his predecessor of colluding with the insurgents to destabilise the country and ‘prepare an insurrection’—allegations Kabila firmly denies.
Kabila’s presidential immunity was stripped in May. He had lived in self-imposed exile since 2023 but re-emerged briefly in April when he appeared in the rebel-held city of Goma after its rapid seizure by M23 forces. His current whereabouts are unknown.
Prosecution pushes for severe punishment
In addition to capital punishment, General Likulia requested a 20-year sentence for what he described as Kabila’s ‘apologetic behaviour’ regarding war crimes, along with 15 years for conspiracy. He offered no further detail on those charges.
No date has been fixed for sentencing.
The proceedings mark a rare moment in Congolese politics, with a former head of state facing the death penalty in a nation still struggling to overcome decades of authoritarianism, conflict and fragile democratic institutions.
