Kinshasa, July 25, 2025 – The Democratic Republic of Congo’s former president Joseph Kabila is facing a historic treason trial before a military court in Kinshasa, marking the first time a former Congolese head of state has been tried for such serious crimes. The charges against him include treason, murder, rape, torture, and supporting rebel forces in the country’s volatile east.
Kabila, who did not appear in court, has requested to be tried in absentia. He has described the trial as “arbitrary” and an abuse of the judicial system, accusing President Félix Tshisekedi’s government of using the courts as “an instrument of oppression”.
Serious Charges and a Divisive Figure
Kabila, 54, who ruled the DR Congo from 2001 to 2019, stands accused of being a key backer of the M23 rebel group, which has seized large swathes of mineral-rich territory in eastern DR Congo. President Tshisekedi has pointed to Kabila as the mastermind behind the insurgency and has accused him of conspiring with Rwanda to overthrow the government—claims both Kabila and Kigali deny.
According to court documents cited by AFP, the ex-president is named as “one of the initiators” of the Congo River Alliance, a broader coalition of armed groups including M23.
In May, the Senate voted to strip Kabila of his lifetime immunity, clearing the way for his prosecution. Former Congolese presidents typically serve as senators for life with protection from legal proceedings.
Trial Begins Amid Fragile Ceasefire
The trial comes just days after a ceasefire deal was reached between the government and the rebels. However, fighting has continued, raising concerns about the durability of the truce.
Friday’s proceedings were briefly adjourned until the end of the month after prosecutors requested more time to review the extensive documentation related to the charges.
Kabila’s Return from Exile and Rising Tensions
Kabila returned to Goma—an M23-controlled city in eastern Congo—from a self-imposed exile in South Africa in May. His return sparked controversy and raised alarms within the Tshisekedi administration.
In a now-deleted YouTube video published shortly after his arrival, Kabila accused the government of dictatorship and warned of a democratic backslide—a statement which further widened the rift between him and the ruling regime.
Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya dismissed Kabila’s criticisms, saying the former leader had “nothing to offer the country.”
Opposition Denounces “Political Trial”
Kabila’s allies have fiercely condemned the proceedings, branding the trial as politically motivated. Ferdinand Kambere, a former executive of Kabila’s now-banned PPRD party, called the trial an effort to exclude Kabila from politics, accusing the government of “double standards”—being too lenient with rebels but heavy-handed with the former president.
Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, another close associate of Kabila, described the case as “theatre,” predicting a predetermined outcome.
Government Defends Justice Process
However, Deputy Justice Minister Samuel Mbemba dismissed claims of bias, insisting the judiciary operates independently of political timelines.
“Justice does not negotiate, it does not join in dialogue. The calendar for justice is different from the political calendar,” he declared as the trial opened.
Background on the Conflict
The M23 rebellion, with alleged backing from Rwanda, has destabilised the eastern DR Congo for years. Despite repeated international calls for restraint, the conflict has led to thousands of deaths and displaced civilians. The UN and Western nations have presented evidence of Rwandan military involvement—claims Rwanda denies, stating its involvement is limited to preventing cross-border violence.
Kabila’s trial, unfolding amid this volatile backdrop, marks a turning point in DR Congo’s political history and raises the stakes for justice, reconciliation, and peace in one of Africa’s most fragile democracies.
Credit: BBC Africa
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