The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Senate has voted to strip former President Joseph Kabila of his legal immunity, clearing the way for potential prosecution over his alleged support of rebel forces in the country’s east.
Authorities have accused Kabila of treason and war crimes, citing what they describe as a “substantial body of documents, testimony, and material evidence” linking him to the M23 rebel group, which has seized several towns in the mineral-rich eastern region of the country.
Kabila, 53, has not publicly responded to the latest accusations, though he has previously denied any involvement with the insurgents.
On Thursday, nearly 90 senators voted in favour of lifting his immunity, with only five opposing the motion. Kabila did not appear before the Senate to defend himself.
After stepping down from the presidency in 2019, Kabila was granted the title of “senator for life,” a position that conferred immunity from prosecution.
The move to revoke this status followed a formal request by DR Congo’s military prosecutor, who is seeking to move forward with the charges.
Kabila has been living in South Africa since 2023, officially for academic studies. In early April, he announced plans to return to the DRC to contribute to resolving the conflict in the east.
Shortly thereafter, unconfirmed reports surfaced claiming he had returned and was in Goma, a city under M23 control. His party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), denied these reports.
Last month, the government banned the PPRD, citing its “ambiguous attitude” toward the M23 occupation of Congolese territory.
In response to the Senate’s decision, the party dismissed the prosecution effort as “pure theatre,” accusing authorities of trying to distract the public from the country’s broader challenges.
More: BBC News
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