A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has convicted former President Joseph Kabila of treason and other charges, sentencing him to death. The high military court in Kinshasa found Kabila guilty of treason, war crimes, conspiracy, and organizing an insurrection alongside the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. The court also ordered Kabila to pay significant damages, totaling $29 billion to Congo, $2 billion to the province of North Kivu, and $2 billion to South Kivu.

The conviction follows a trial in absentia, which began in July, with Kabila’s whereabouts currently unknown. The former president was accused of treason, involvement in an insurrection movement, conspiracy, and supporting terrorism. In August, the prosecutor sought the death penalty, a decision Kabila denounced as a political move aimed at silencing the opposition.

The government alleges that Kabila collaborated with Rwanda and the M23 rebels, who seized key cities in eastern Congo in January. The former head of state, who ruled from 2001 to 2019, has denied these allegations. In May, the country’s senate voted to repeal Kabila’s immunity from prosecution, a move he condemned as dictatorial at the time.

Kabila had been living in self-imposed exile outside of Congo but returned in April to Goma, one of the cities held by the rebel group. His current location remains unknown, and the court has ordered his immediate arrest. The verdict marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, where the M23 rebels have occupied key cities since January.

The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains complex, with tensions between the government and rebel groups ongoing. The conviction of Joseph Kabila is likely to have significant implications for the region, with the international community watching closely. As the situation continues to unfold, the focus will be on the next steps for Kabila and the impact of the verdict on the conflict in eastern Congo.