The Democratic Republic of Congo’s senate has voted to strip former President Joseph Kabila of his legal immunity, clearing the way for his prosecution over accusations of treason and support for rebel forces in the country’s east.
Authorities allege that Kabila, who governed from 2001 to 2019, is linked to the M23 armed group, which has seized several towns in the mineral-rich region. They cited a “substantial body of documents, testimony and material facts” implicating the 53-year-old in backing the insurgency.
Kabila, currently residing in South Africa, has not commented on the accusations but has previously denied any involvement with the rebels.
On Thursday, nearly 90 senators voted in favour of lifting his immunity, with only five voting against. “The senate authorises the prosecution and lifting of Joseph Kabila’s immunity,” declared senate Speaker Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde following the vote.
Kabila did not appear before the senate to contest the charges. Since stepping down from office, he has held the honorary title of “senator for life”, a position that had protected him from prosecution until now.
DR Congo’s military prosecutor had petitioned the senate to revoke this protection to enable the legal proceedings to move forward.
Earlier this year, Kabila announced plans to return to the country to help resolve the conflict in the east. Reports later emerged suggesting he was seen in Goma, a city captured by M23 rebels. However, his political party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), denied these claims.
Last month, the government banned the PPRD, citing the party’s “ambiguous attitude” towards the rebel occupation of Congolese territory. Justice Minister Rose Mutamba subsequently ordered the seizure of Kabila’s assets, stating that he must “face justice… and present his defence”.
The potential trial of the former leader has raised concerns among analysts, who warn that it could exacerbate instability in a nation already grappling with a long-running rebellion. The M23 insurgency has posed a significant threat since 2012.
Kabila’s party dismissed the prosecution as “pure theatre” intended to distract the public from DR Congo’s broader challenges, according to reports by the AFP news agency.
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