DR Congo tries ex-leader Kabila for treason in absentia • FRANCE 24 English

A historic trial is underway in Kinshasa. Former Dr. Congo President Joseph Kabila is facing charges of treason, murder, and rape before a military court. Prosecutors accuse him of backing the M23 rebels who still control a large part of the country’s mineralrich east. His successor, President Felix Chi, says Kabila is the mastermind behind the rebel movement. Kabila calls the trial political, an instrument of oppression. Emtt Livingston is in Kinasa with more. It’s an unprecedented court case in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On Friday, the military high court began a treason trial in Absentia of the country’s former president Joseph Kabila. The court read out eight charges against the former president over alleged support for Rwanda backed militants and plotting to overthrow the government of President Felix Jied as well as treason. Kabila is also accused of participating in an armed movement of crimes against peace of apology for terrorism amongst other crimes. Treason carries the death penalty in Congo. Kabila ruled the country for 18 years running an administration accused of vast corruption and of numerous human rights abuses. But in 2019, he handed power to incumbent President Felix Gied in Congo’s first ever peaceful transition. Initially, Kabila kept a low profile, but there were always lingering fears in ruling circles that he hadn’t quite left politics. Then in May this year came the turning point. After staying outside of the country for years, Kabila returned, making a trip to the eastern Congali city of GMA, which has been occupied by Rwanda backed M23 rebels since January. President Chisheti has branded Kabila as the brains behind the armed group, which has seized swades of the Congalles East with Rwanda’s help. The Congalles National Assembly voted to lift Kabila’s immunity in May and the military pressed charges. Kabila has called the legal proceedings an instrument of oppression of a dictatorship. But the former president isn’t particularly popular in Congo and the court case appears to be broadly supported. Congo’s vice minister for justice appeared at the court on Friday where he told reporters that justice does not negotiate. The facts of the case weren’t examined, however, with lawyers acting for the Congalles state requesting more time to study the documents. Another hearing is scheduled for next week.

Former Democratic Republic of Congo leader Joseph Kabila went on trial in absentia Friday on charges including treason over alleged support for Rwanda-backed militants. Kabila, who has lived outside the DRC for two years, stands accused at a military court of plotting to overthrow the government of President Felix Tshisekedi — a charge that could yield a death sentence. Details by FRANCE 24 correspondent in Kinshasa, Emmet Livingstone.
#DRCongo #trial #Kabila

🔔 Subscribe to France 24 now: https://f24.my/YTen
🔴 LIVE – Watch FRANCE 24 English 24/7 here: https://f24.my/YTliveEN

🌍 Read the latest International News and Top Stories: https://www.france24.com/en/

Like us on Facebook: https://f24.my/FBen
Follow us on X: https://f24.my/Xen
Bluesky: https://f24.my/BSen and Threads: https://f24.my/THen
Browse the news in pictures on Instagram: https://f24.my/IGen
Discover our TikTok videos: https://f24.my/TKen
Get the latest top stories on Telegram: https://f24.my/TGen

4 comments

Comments are closed.