A military tribunal in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced former president Joseph Kabila to death in absentia for treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The ruling, delivered on September 30, also ordered him to pay massive reparations, in a move that could reshape Congo’s political landscape.

Court Ruling And Allegations

Judge Lt. Gen. Joseph Mutombo Katalayi said the panel applied the maximum penalty allowed under military law. The court found Kabila guilty of murder, torture, sexual assault, and conspiring with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that seized major towns earlier this year. He was also ordered to pay damages estimated between $29 and $50 billion to the state and victims.

Kabila’s Absence And Response

Kabila, who ruled Congo from 2001 to 2019, did not attend the trial and was unrepresented by lawyers. His current whereabouts remain unknown after a reported return to Goma earlier in 2025, when rebels held the city. He has rejected the charges as politically motivated, accusing President Félix Tshisekedi’s government of using the judiciary to sideline him.

Political Fallout And Regional Implications

The sentencing underscores Congo’s escalating internal divisions. Once allies in a fragile power-sharing deal, Kabila and Tshisekedi now stand on opposing sides, with Kinshasa accusing the former leader of undermining stability through ties to M23 and Rwanda. Analysts warn the verdict could heighten tensions in eastern Congo, where fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands and regional mediation is struggling to gain traction. Rights groups also question the fairness of trials in absentia and warn against politicized justice.