The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has initiated steps to strip former President Joseph Kabila of his legal immunity to pave the way for prosecution over allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and treason linked to rebel insurgencies in the country’s volatile eastern region.
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba, speaking to reporters Wednesday in Kinshasa, disclosed that a formal request has been submitted to the Senate to lift Kabila’s immunity. As a former head of state and current senator for life, Kabila is legally protected from prosecution unless that protection is revoked by the legislature.
Mutamba stated that authorities have gathered “compelling evidence” linking Kabila to atrocities committed by rebel groups, including the mass killing of civilians and security forces. He also accused the former president of supporting the M23 rebel group, which has been active in the conflict-hit eastern provinces.
Kabila, who led the DRC from 2001 to 2019, is now being accused of engaging in insurrectional activities and undermining national stability. President Felix Tshisekedi had previously accused Kabila of conspiring with the M23 militia to stage an uprising—an allegation Kabila has consistently denied.
Following his departure from office in 2019, Kabila remained out of the public eye until his recent return to the DRC last month. His visit to Goma, a rebel-held city, was described by his allies as a peace mission, but has fueled suspicions among government officials.
Eastern DRC has witnessed a sharp escalation in violence since January, with M23 rebels seizing control of key territories including Goma and Bukavu. The fighting has killed more than 3,000 people and displaced nearly seven million, exacerbating a dire humanitarian crisis.
According to UN reports, the M23 group is one of over 200 armed militias operating in the mineral-rich eastern borderlands and is allegedly supported by Rwandan troops, estimated at 4,000 personnel. Despite a ceasefire agreement between the DRC military and M23, clashes persist, particularly in South Kivu.
In response to the announcement, Ferdinand Kambere, deputy secretary-general of Kabila’s People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), condemned the legal action as a politically motivated attack.
“This is not about justice; it’s about political survival. The current regime is clearly trying to intimidate and discredit former President Kabila,” Kambere said.
The move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing political rift between the Tshisekedi administration and the Kabila faction, as the DRC battles rising instability and long-standing divisions in its eastern provinces.
