Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.
The Senate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has voted to strip former President Joseph Kabila of his legal immunity, clearing the path for his prosecution on charges of treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The landmark decision comes amid growing allegations that Kabila was involved in supporting the M23 rebel movement, which has been responsible for destabilizing large swaths of eastern DRC.
In a closed-door session on May 23, 2025, 88 of the DRC’s 96 senators voted in favor of lifting Kabila’s immunity, with five voting against and three abstaining. Kabila, who ruled from 2001 to 2019 and was granted the title of “Senator for Life” upon leaving office, has come under increasing scrutiny over his alleged connections to the resurgence of the M23 rebellion, which has seized towns and territory in the mineral-rich east.
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba spearheaded the legal motion, presenting what he described as substantial evidence linking the former president to armed insurrection and aiding a foreign-backed rebel movement. “The country cannot remain silent while someone who once led the nation is suspected of collaborating with groups responsible for grave atrocities,” Mutamba stated. He accused Kabila of “endangering national security and the lives of thousands of Congolese citizens.”
Kabila has vehemently denied the accusations. In a defiant address livestreamed from an undisclosed location, he condemned the Senate’s decision as a politically motivated attack orchestrated by President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration. “This is nothing short of political persecution under the guise of justice,” Kabila declared. “The current regime is weaponizing the judiciary to silence its opponents and turn the DRC into a dictatorship.”
The former leader returned to the country in April 2025 after nearly two years in self-imposed exile. He claimed his return was intended to contribute to peace efforts, but his presence has sparked political tensions. In response to the developments, the government has suspended Kabila’s political party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), and announced that it will begin seizing assets believed to be linked to the alleged conspiracy.
The M23 rebel group, long accused of receiving support from neighboring Rwanda, has been engaged in violent clashes with government forces and UN-backed troops. The conflict has displaced over one million people and led to widespread reports of human rights violations, including mass killings and sexual violence. The Congolese government has increasingly tied the group’s resurgence to internal sabotage and high-level collusion.
International reactions to the Senate’s move have been cautious. Human rights organizations have welcomed the potential for accountability but have urged the Congolese government to ensure a fair and transparent legal process. “The prosecution of any high-ranking official, especially a former head of state, must be grounded in due process and rule of law,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch.
If charged and convicted, Kabila could face a lengthy prison sentence or more severe penalties under Congolese law. Legal experts believe the move may also set a precedent for future prosecutions of political leaders in Africa, signaling a growing shift toward domestic accountability for leaders once seen as untouchable.
As the political and legal battle unfolds, the eyes of the DRC and the international community remain fixed on what could become one of the most significant legal cases in the country’s modern history.
