The Democratic Republic of the Congo Senate has deprived former President Joseph Kabila of immunity, paving the way for his alleged prosecution of supporting Eastern rebels.
Authorities accused him of treason and war crimes, There is a “large amount of documents, testimony and material facts” Linking Kabila to the M23 armed group, which controls several mineral-rich eastern towns.
Kabila, 53, has not commented on the allegations, but has denied any connections with the insurgents in the past.
Nearly 90 senators voted for his treason charges Thursday, while five senators opposed it.
“The Senate authorized the prosecution and lifting of Joseph Kabila’s immunity,” Senate Speaker Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde declared after a vote on Thursday.
The former president led the country between 2001 and 2019 and did not appear before the Senate to defend himself.
After resigning, he was awarded the title of “Senator of Life”, which gave him legal immunity.
To file charges against him, the military prosecutor of the Congolese doctor asked the Senate to remove the privilege.
Kabila has lived outside South Africa for the past two years. But earlier last month, he said he would return to help find a solution to the conflict in the East.
A few weeks later, it was reported that the former president was back in one of the cities captured by Goma (M23).
But these parties are the Reconstruction and Democratic People’s Party (PPRD) denied these.
last month, Authorities ban PPRD Due to its “ambiguity” in the M23 occupation of Congolese territory.
Attorney General Mutamba ordered the seizure of Kabila’s assets, and he said the former president should return to the country to face justice… and make a defense”.
Analysts say any trial in Kabila could further undermine the country, which has been fighting the M23 rebellion since 2012.
AFP News reported that Kabila’s party called his prosecution a “pure theater” with the intention of distracting Congolese from the main challenges facing the country.
