Kinshasa, Oct 1 (HS): A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has sentenced former President Joseph Kabila to death in absentia, convicting him of war crimes, treason, and crimes against humanity. The ruling was delivered on Tuesday following charges that Kabila supported Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo.

According to the court, Kabila was found guilty of orchestrating killings, sexual violence, torture, and inciting rebellion. In addition to the death sentence, he was ordered to pay nearly 50 billion US dollars in compensation to the state and victims. Neither Kabila nor his legal representatives were present during the proceedings.

Kabila ruled the country from 2001 until 2019, stepping down under popular pressure. He has largely resided in South Africa in recent years, though he was reportedly seen in May in Goma, a city in eastern Congo, among rebel strongholds.Current President Félix Tshisekedi had previously accused Kabila of sponsoring the M23 insurgency.

The rebel group presently controls significant parts of North and South Kivu provinces, where ongoing clashes have resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.Observers warn that the judgment against Kabila risks deepening political instability and fueling further divisions within the country.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar