DR Congo Lifts Joseph Kabila’s Immunity Over Treason and Rebel Support Accusations

Report by Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s parliament has voted to strip former President Joseph Kabila of his lifetime immunity, paving the way for legal action over accusations of supporting the M23 rebel group and committing acts of treason and war crimes.

In a closed-door vote held late Thursday, lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the motion, with 88 votes in favor and only five against, ending the immunity Kabila held as an honorary senator since stepping down in 2019.

The move comes after growing pressure from the military attorney general and accusations by President Felix Tshisekedi, who claims that Kabila assisted rebel groups in planning an armed uprising in the troubled eastern provinces.

Justice Minister Constant Mutamba stated that the former president is now officially accused of treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and participation in an insurrectional movement. These charges relate to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where multiple armed groups, including M23, are battling for control of mineral-rich territories.

Kabila, who has been residing in South Africa, denies all accusations. His party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), has condemned the legal proceedings, calling them “political theater” intended to distract from economic and security issues facing the country.

In recent weeks, Congolese authorities have also suspended the PPRD and frozen the assets of several party leaders as part of the ongoing crackdown. Despite this, violence continues in the east, with M23 rebels gaining ground in cities like Goma and Bukavu, and both sides facing accusations of human rights abuses.

Although the government and rebels had agreed earlier this month to pursue a ceasefire, fresh clashes have erupted in South-Kivu province, signaling an unstable path ahead for peace.

Kabila became president in 2001 following the assassination of his father, Laurent-Désiré Kabila, and remained in power until 2019. He has previously expressed a desire to help resolve the conflict in eastern Congo, where over 100 armed factions continue to operate.