The long-anticipated treason trial of former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila began on Friday in a military court in Kinshasa. Kabila, 53, who ruled the country for 18 years, faces multiple charges, including treason, murder, and participation in an insurrectionist movement.
Background of the Trial
- *Charges*: Kabila is accused of masterminding the M23 rebels, a group that has seized large swathes of mineral-rich eastern DR Congo.
- *Denial*: Kabila denies all accusations, describing the charges as "arbitrary" and alleging that the judiciary is being used as an "instrument of oppression."
Context and Implications
- *Tension between Kabila and Tshisekedi*: The trial comes after months of tension between Kabila and his successor, President Félix Tshisekedi.
- *Ceasefire Deal*: Despite a ceasefire deal between the government and M23 rebels, fighting continues in the east, further complicating the trial's context.
International Observers' Concerns
- *UN and Western Governments*: International observers, including the United Nations and several Western governments, have accused neighboring Rwanda of backing the M23 movement.
- *Rwanda's Denial*: Kigali denies the allegations, insisting its actions are aimed at preventing the conflict from spilling across its borders.
Kabila's Return to DR Congo
- *Self-Imposed Exile*: Kabila had been in self-imposed exile in South Africa for two years before resurfacing in May in Goma, a rebel-controlled city.
- *Immunity Lifted*: The DR Congo Senate lifted his immunity as a senator for life, clearing the way for his prosecution [1].
