The trial of Joseph Kabila by the Public Prosecutor’s Office began this Friday 25 July 2025 before the High Military Court in Kinshasa. The former head of state, who led the country from 2001 to 2019, will face heavy charges including treason, war crimes and alleged support for the Alliance Fleuve Congo rebellion, a political movement that has joined forces with the M23, a rebellion supported by Rwanda.

This appearance comes two months after the Senate lifted his parliamentary immunity on 22 May. An unprecedented decision in Congolese political history, it opened the way for legal proceedings against the man who for nearly two decades was one of the most powerful men in the country.

According to the indictment, Joseph Kabila allegedly provided logistical and financial support to armed groups operating in the east of the country after his term of office, in particular the AFC/M23, which was involved in abuses in the east of the DRC.

In addition to crimes against peace and the security of humanity, participation in an insurrectional movement, high treason, intentional homicide by bullets, apology for criminal acts, rape, torture and deportation, Joseph Kabila is also being prosecuted for the open occupation of the town of Goma. The prosecution accuses him of alleged complicity in the rebellion that has occupied Goma for several months now.

The trial will be held under tight security and is expected to last several weeks, according to certain sources.

While Joseph Kabila’s supporters denounce a “political persecution”, his detractors are demanding justice on behalf of the victims of the conflicts that have bloodied the east of the DRC for two decades.

Despite the opening of the trial, the Honorary President’s presence at the court remains unrecorded. This situation is reminiscent of his absence at a previous invitation to appear before the Senate to be heard before his immunities were lifted.

After declaring that the case had been referred to it, the military court received the civil party application from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lawyers who had lodged this complaint at the hearing requested a postponement to enable them to study the case file and prepare their defense. The High Court granted this request and adjourned the case. The High Military Court adjourned the case until 31 July 2025.

This trial is already a major event, attracting widespread national and international attention. The outcome of this unprecedented case will inevitably have a profound impact on the political future of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

To be continued …

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma