Friday, May 23, 2025 - The Senate of the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to debate lifting the immunity of former president Joseph Kabila on Thursday, May 22, a move that could pave the way for his prosecution on charges of supporting a Rwanda-backed rebel group in the country’s troubled eastern region. Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019, is accused by the current government of President Félix Tshisekedi of backing the M23 armed group, which has seized territory in the east with alleged support from Rwanda.
The government has leveled serious accusations against
Kabila, including treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and involvement
in an insurrection. These charges stem from allegations that he conspired with
M23, whose recent resurgence has intensified conflict in a region already
plagued by decades of instability.
Kabila, 53, has not been seen publicly in the country since
2023, with his entourage confirming his absence but declining to reveal his
location. Despite stepping down from the presidency, he retains the title of
senator for life, a position that grants him parliamentary immunity.
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba had previously called on
military courts to open proceedings against the former president. To facilitate
this, the military prosecutor submitted a formal request for the Senate to lift
Kabila’s immunity. In response, the Senate formed a special commission of 40
lawmakers to assess the case. The commission submitted its findings on
Wednesday, ahead of Thursday’s plenary session.
According to a statement from the Senate, the session,
scheduled for 1300 GMT, will be dedicated solely to the presentation and
adoption of the commission’s report. A vote is expected to follow, determining
whether the body supports lifting Kabila’s immunity. If lawmakers vote in
favour, further deliberations will be required to establish the legal process
for proceeding with the case.
Constitutional experts remain divided on whether the final
decision must be ratified by a two-thirds majority in both houses of
parliament. However, with President Tshisekedi’s coalition holding a
significant majority, such a threshold could be achievable.
Kabila is the only former Congolese president to hold the
status of senator for life. The move to strip him of immunity follows months of
rising political tension, with Kabila hinting at a possible return to the
political scene and criticizing the Tshisekedi administration. While no
concrete evidence of his return has surfaced, the government has responded by
suspending his party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy
(PPRD), and raiding several of his properties.
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