Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are seeking to lift the immunity from prosecution of former President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of supporting rebels in the country’s volatile eastern region.
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba announced on Wednesday that there is a “substantial body of documents, testimony and material facts” linking Mr. Kabila to the M23 armed group, which has made significant territorial gains in the mineral-rich east of the DRC this year.
The M23 currently controls key areas in the region, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians.
Mr. Kabila, who led the DRC for 18 years, has not responded to the allegations. He has previously denied any connection to the insurgents.
As a former president, Mr. Kabila holds the title of “senator for life,” granting him legal immunity. The DRC’s military prosecutor has now formally requested the senate to overturn this immunity to allow for a legal case to proceed.
Mr. Kabila has resided in South Africa for the past two years. However, last month, he indicated his intention to return to the DRC to contribute to resolving the conflict in the east.
Reports subsequently emerged that he had returned and was in Goma, a city captured by the M23. These reports were denied by his political party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD).
The DRC government recently banned the PPRD, citing its “ambiguous attitude” towards the M23’s occupation of Congolese territory.
Justice Minister Mutamba, who last month ordered the seizure of Mr. Kabila’s assets, has called on the former president to return to the country and “face justice… and present his defence.”
Meanwhile, there are signs that the DRC and neighbouring Rwanda, which denies accusations of supporting the M23, may be moving towards a peace agreement. The two countries signed a preliminary agreement in Washington last week and have committed to producing a draft deal by Friday, in an effort to end the conflict. Sources and related content
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