Kinshasa — The High Military Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo has officially demanded the death penalty for former President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of committing serious war crimes and treason during his 18 years in power.
Military Prosecutor Lt. Gen. Likulia Bakumi Lucien-René presented charges linking Kabila to the creation and financing of armed groups, particularly AFC/M23, blamed for destabilizing eastern Congo. The prosecution cited evidence from UN human rights reports, testimonies of senior rebel leaders in custody, and statements attributed to Kabila himself.
The charges include murder, rape, abduction, torture, and destruction of protected infrastructure, all classified as war crimes. Prosecutors also requested prison sentences for additional political and conspiracy offenses.
Kabila, who fled into exile, was last sighted in regions under M23/AFC control. He has denied involvement with the group. The government will later decide on whether to revoke his Congolese nationality.
