The Democratic Republic of Congo’s public prosecutor has demanded the death penalty for former President Joseph Kabila, who is being tried in absentia on charges of treason, war crimes, and allegedly backing the M23 rebel group.
Kabila, who ruled from 2001 to 2019 after succeeding his assassinated father, is accused of supporting Rwanda-backed rebels who have recently seized key cities in eastern Congo.
Authorities say his surprise return from exile in April—reportedly to rebel-held Goma—fueled suspicions about his links to the insurgency. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
In court, Prosecutor Gen. Lucien René Likulia also sought a 20-year sentence for condoning war crimes and 15 years for conspiracy.
Kabila’s immunity as a senator-for-life was stripped in May to allow the trial.
His allies have condemned the case as politically motivated.
Former minister Ferdinand Kambere described it as “a disgrace for the Republic,” while security analyst Henry-Pacifique Mayala argued the trial looks more like “a settling of scores” than a pursuit of justice.
A verdict date has yet to be announced.
