Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has condemned his ongoing trial, calling it “politically motivated” and accusing his successor, President Félix Tshisekedi, of using the judiciary to silence political opposition. In a statement released on Tuesday, Kabila insisted that the proceedings have “nothing to do with justice” and labelled the treason trial including charges of war crimes, rape, and murder as baseless and driven by political agenda. He further called for inclusive dialogue, stressing that reconciliation cannot stem from “partial agreements nor selective trials.”
The trial, held in absentia before the High Military Court, comes after the Senate revoked Kabila’s parliamentary immunity, enabling prosecution to proceed. The military prosecutor has formally requested the death penalty, alongside lengthy prison terms 20 years for condoning war crimes and 15 years for conspiracy underscoring the gravity of the charges.