The war crimes trial of Joseph Kabila, former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been delayed, with the verdict now scheduled for September 19. Judges at the High Military Court granted the postponement to examine new evidence presented by the prosecution. Kabila faces accusations of conspiring with the Rwanda‑backed M23 paramilitary group, a charge that could carry the death penalty if he is convicted. In addition, he is charged with murder and rape.
The trial, which began in July, has been contentious. Kabila’s supporters claim it is politically motivated, arguing that the proceedings aim to discredit the former leader, who governed the DRC from 2001 to 2019. Kabila had been in self‑imposed exile since 2023 but returned to the eastern city of Goma in April after its capture by rebels; his current whereabouts are unknown, and he is being tried in absentia.
The prosecution’s request to review new evidence—including witness testimony linking Kabila to bank accounts used to finance the M23 group—prompted the delay. Prosecutors also asked that treason charges be reclassified as espionage, citing doubts about Kabila’s nationality. The court ruled the new evidence admissible, leading to the verdict’s postponement.
Kabila’s presidential immunity was revoked in May, clearing the way for the trial. The case is being closely watched both within the DRC and internationally because of its potential impact on regional stability and the activities of the M23 paramilitary group. The September 19 verdict will allow the court to fully consider the prosecution’s new material, and its outcome will have significant implications for the DRC and the broader region.
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