Congo senators voted Thursday to remove Joseph Kabila's legal protection from prosecution. The upper house chose 88 votes against 5 to expose the former president to criminal charges. Government leaders accuse Kabila of helping M23 rebels who fight alongside Rwandan soldiers. The 53-year-old former leader has lived outside Congo since 2023 and missed the Senate meeting. Current President Felix Tshisekedi claims Kabila works with armed groups against the government.
Kabila ruled Congo from 2001 until 2019, when he left office peacefully. After stepping down, he became a senator for life, which gave him immunity from the courts. Military prosecutors asked senators to remove this special protection against legal action. Army officials want to charge him with treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. A special Senate committee studied the case and recommended lifting his immunity.
Prosecutors based their case on testimony from Eric Nkuba, who claimed he heard Kabila advise rebel leaders. Critics say officials forced this confession under pressure and cannot trust the evidence. Political experts believe removing immunity serves to weaken opposition voices. Kabila's political party called the prosecution pure theater designed to distract people from real problems. Security forces have recently raided several properties belonging to the former president.
Kabila ruled Congo from 2001 until 2019, when he left office peacefully. After stepping down, he became a senator for life, which gave him immunity from the courts. Military prosecutors asked senators to remove this special protection against legal action. Army officials want to charge him with treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. A special Senate committee studied the case and recommended lifting his immunity.
Prosecutors based their case on testimony from Eric Nkuba, who claimed he heard Kabila advise rebel leaders. Critics say officials forced this confession under pressure and cannot trust the evidence. Political experts believe removing immunity serves to weaken opposition voices. Kabila's political party called the prosecution pure theater designed to distract people from real problems. Security forces have recently raided several properties belonging to the former president.
