Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has been sentenced to death in absentia after being convicted of treason, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, including murder, sexual assault, torture, and insurrection.

The verdict, delivered on Friday, centers on accusations that the 54-year-old former head of state supported the M23 rebel group. The militia has been responsible for widespread devastation in eastern DR Congo, where fighting has displaced thousands and claimed many lives.

Kabila, who led the country for 18 years after the assassination of his father Laurent in 2001, rejected the case. He described the trial as “arbitrary” and claimed that the courts were being used as an “instrument of oppression.” His whereabouts remain unknown.

Kabila handed over power to President Félix Tshisekedi in 2019. Initially seen as allies, the two later fell out politically, leading Kabila into self-imposed exile in 2023. Their conflict deepened earlier this year after Kabila attempted to re-enter the political scene.

In April, the former president announced he wanted to help mediate the deadly fighting in the east. He traveled to Goma, a city held by the M23, in May. His move drew strong criticism from the government.

President Tshisekedi publicly accused Kabila of being the mastermind behind the rebel group’s actions. Following the accusation, the Congolese Senate stripped Kabila of his legal immunity, clearing the way for prosecutors to bring charges against him.

The M23 insurgency escalated earlier this year when the rebels seized vast areas of the mineral-rich eastern provinces. Cities such as Goma and Bukavu, along with two airports, fell under their control.

The United Nations and several Western governments have pointed to what they describe as overwhelming evidence that Rwanda has been backing the M23. They allege Kigali has sent thousands of troops across the border to support the rebels’ advance.

Rwanda has denied the accusations, insisting its role has been limited to preventing the conflict from spilling over into its territory. Kigali maintains it is not involved in supporting the insurgents.

Despite a ceasefire deal reached in July between the Congolese government and M23, fighting has continued. Reports from the east indicate that violence and insecurity remain widespread, undermining efforts to end the long-running conflict.

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