Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president Joseph Kabila has been sentenced to death in absentia by a military court on charges of treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The 54-year-old, who ruled the DRC for 18 years before handing over power to President Félix Tshisekedi in 2019, was accused of backing the M23 rebel group, held responsible for atrocities in the country’s mineral-rich eastern region. The charges against him include murder, torture, sexual assault, and insurrection.

Kabila rejected the allegations, labeling the proceedings “arbitrary” and an “instrument of oppression.” He has refused to appear in court, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Kabila rose to power in 2001 following the assassination of his father, Laurent-Désiré Kabila, and remained in office until 2019. Though he attempted a political comeback earlier this year, including a visit to Goma—then under M23 control—his return to the political scene drew sharp accusations from President Tshisekedi, who accused him of orchestrating rebel activities.

Following these claims, Congolese senators stripped Kabila of legal immunity, opening the door for his prosecution.

The resurgence of the M23 rebellion has fueled fresh conflict in eastern DRC, with the rebels seizing Goma, Bukavu, and key airports in 2025. The violence has displaced thousands and deepened an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The UN and Western nations have accused Rwanda of backing M23 with troops and resources, though Kigali denies the claims, insisting its actions aim to prevent regional spillover. Despite a ceasefire signed in July, fighting has persisted, leaving the region unstable and the Congolese government under mounting pressure to restore order.