DRC Senate strips Kabila of immunity, clears way for treason trial
Prosecutors claim there is a “substantial body of documents, testimony and material facts” linking him to M23, an armed group that has seized several towns in the mineral-rich eastern region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s senate has voted to lift the immunity of former President Joseph Kabila, clearing the way for his prosecution over allegations of treason and backing of the M23 rebel group in the country’s troubled east.
In a vote held on Thursday, nearly 90 senators supported the motion, with only five opposing it, a move that could have major political and security consequences.
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“The senate authorises the prosecution and lifting of Joseph Kabila’s immunity,” declared Senate Speaker Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde after the vote.
Kabila, who led the country from 2001 to 2019, has been accused by authorities of war crimes.
Prosecutors claim there is a “substantial body of documents, testimony and material facts” linking him to M23, an armed group that has seized several towns in the mineral-rich eastern region.
Kabila has not commented on the fresh accusations but has in the past denied any ties to the insurgents.
Since stepping down, Kabila has held the title of “senator for life”, a role that grants him legal immunity.
But the military prosecutor asked the senate to strip him of this protection to allow his prosecution. Kabila did not attend the senate session to respond to the charges.
He has been living in South Africa for the last two years but announced at the start of last month that he intended to return to help resolve the conflict in the east.
Soon after, unconfirmed reports claimed he had already returned and was in Goma, a city now under the control of M23 rebels.
His political party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), dismissed these reports.
Last month, authorities banned the PPRD, accusing it of an “ambiguous attitude” toward the rebel occupation.
Justice Minister Mutamba later ordered the seizure of Kabila’s assets and said the former president should return to the country to “face justice and present his defence.”
Kabila’s party, however, has dismissed the charges as “pure theatre” meant to distract citizens from the country’s deeper problems, according to AFP.
Analysts warn that prosecuting Kabila could worsen instability in a country already struggling with years of armed conflict, particularly in the east, where the M23 rebellion has persisted since 2012.
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