Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has been sentenced to dying in absentia for conflict crimes and treason.
The fees concern accusations that Kabila has been supporting the M23, a insurgent group who’ve wreaked devastation throughout the nation’s jap area.
Kabila was convicted on Friday by a army court docket of treason, crimes towards humanity, and conflict crimes, together with homicide, sexual assault, torture and rebellion. He denied the fees, however didn’t seem in court docket to defend himself.
The ex-president rejected the case as “arbitrary” and stated the courts have been getting used as an “instrument of oppression”. His present whereabouts are unknown.
The 54-year-old led DR Congo for 18 years, after succeeding his father Laurent, who was shot useless in 2001.
Kabila backed President Félix Tshisekedi within the disputed 2019 elections, however they later fell out and Kabila went into self-imposed exile in 2023.
In April this 12 months, the previous president stated he needed to assist discover a resolution to the lethal combating within the east and arrived within the M23-held metropolis of Goma the next month.
President Tshisekedi accused Kabila of being the brains behind the M23 and senators stripped him of his authorized immunity, paving the best way for his prosecution.
A long time of battle had escalated earlier this 12 months when the M23 seized management of huge elements of the mineral-rich east, together with Goma, the town of Bukavu and two airports.
Pointing to overwhelming proof, the UN and a number of other Western nations have accused neighbouring Rwanda of backing the M23, and sending hundreds of its troopers into DR Congo.
However Kigali denies the fees, saying it’s performing to cease the battle from spilling over onto its territory.
A ceasefire deal between the rebels and the federal government was agreed in July, however the bloodshed has continued.
Extra BBC tales on DR Congo:
[Getty Images/BBC]
Go to BBCAfrica.com for extra information from the African continent.
Observe us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Fb at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
BBC Africa podcasts
