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Prosecutors in the Democratic Republic of Congo have called for the death penalty for former President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of war crimes and conspiring with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels to overthrow the current government.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Joseph Kabila is the former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo who came to power in 2001 following the assassination of his father, Laurent Kabila. He ruled until 2019, and his presidency was marked by prolonged conflict in the eastern regions of the country, where armed groups, including the M23 rebel movement, have operated for decades. The M23, originally formed from rebellious soldiers in 2012, re-emerged in 2021 with renewed strength and alleged backing from Rwanda. After leaving office, Kabila maintained ties to M23 and played a central role in its recent resurgence, including helping to organize the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a political-military coalition that includes M23. The group has been accused of carrying out brutal atrocities in eastern Congo, including massacres, sexual violence, and forced child recruitment.

What’s going on now: In court documents, DRC prosecutors alleged that Kabila conspired to violently overthrow President Félix Tshisekedi’s government through his leadership role in the AFC. The indictment details multiple accusations, including his involvement in homicide, torture, rape, and the forcible occupation of Goma, a strategic city in eastern DRC that was seized by M23 fighters in early 2025 before a ceasefire was reached. Prosecutors say Kabila coordinated this insurgency in collaboration with Rwanda, citing his meetings in Goma with M23 officials as evidence of direct engagement with the group.

Further strengthening their case, prosecutors rely on reports from UN investigators who found Rwanda’s military had played a “critical” role in the M23 offensive. They allege that Kabila acted as the political linchpin in this alliance, facilitating foreign support and rebel expansion in mineral-rich regions. The prosecution also includes statements from military officials and surveillance evidence tying Kabila’s inner circle to recent rebel activities. These claims are used to support the demand for his execution.

Despite the serious nature of the charges, Kabila has maintained his innocence, calling the courts an “instrument of oppression” and rejecting the legitimacy of the trial, which is being held in absentia. His political party, the PPRD, argues that the case is a blatant effort to eliminate a key opposition figure.