Joseph Kabila sentenced to death by military court in DR Congo

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced former President Joseph Kabila to death in absentia, marking a dramatic turn in the country’s political and judicial history.

The ruling, delivered in Kinshasa on September 30, 2025, found Kabila guilty of treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The court also ordered him to pay more than $30 billion in damages.

Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019, was neither present in court nor legally represented. His absence followed a controversial decision earlier this year by the Senate to strip him of the immunity typically afforded to former heads of state.

Prosecutors accused him of overseeing systemic abuses during his 18-year tenure, including extrajudicial killings, corruption, and the misappropriation of state resources. His political allies, however, insist the charges are politically motivated, describing the trial as a bid to silence the former leader’s influence.

The sentencing has stirred debate across the DRC and beyond. Human rights groups welcomed the court’s willingness to address past crimes but questioned whether the proceedings met international fair trial standards. Meanwhile, international observers are watching closely, warning the case could deepen political divisions in a country already struggling with instability.

Kabila’s exact whereabouts remain uncertain, and the practical enforcement of the death penalty is unclear. Nonetheless, the verdict underscores a pivotal moment for the DRC, raising questions about accountability, justice, and the future of its fragile democracy.