Former Democratic Republic of the Congo president Joseph Kabila, who ruled the vast Central African nation for nearly two decades, has been declared a fugitive by state authorities following a treason conviction that marks a dramatic fall from power for one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
According to government officials, a military court in Democratic Republic of the Congo found Kabila guilty in absentia in 2025, accusing him of supporting armed rebel groups operating in the country’s volatile eastern region. He was reportedly handed a death sentence, though he remains outside the country.
Kabila has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and part of a broader campaign to sideline him from the national political arena.
The case underscores a sharp deterioration in relations between Kabila and his successor, President Félix Tshisekedi. The two leaders initially entered into a fragile power-sharing arrangement following the disputed 2018 elections, but their alliance later collapsed amid accusations of betrayal and an intensifying struggle for political dominance.
Government officials allege that Kabila maintained links with insurgent factions destabilizing the mineral-rich eastern provinces—an area long plagued by armed conflict involving local militias and foreign-backed groups. However, no detailed public evidence has been presented in international forums, and analysts caution that the charges may reflect deeper political rivalries within the country’s elite.
Kabila first assumed power in 2001 following the assassination of his father, Laurent-Désiré Kabila. Over the years, he consolidated control over the state and military, remaining in office beyond constitutional term limits before eventually stepping down under mounting international pressure.
His departure paved the way for Tshisekedi’s presidency, though the transition was widely viewed as contested. Since then, the Congolese political landscape has remained fragile, shaped by shifting alliances and persistent security challenges.
The development comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to grapple with armed violence in its eastern territories, humanitarian crises, and ongoing concerns over governance and accountability.
Observers say the pursuit of a former head of state on such grave charges is both unprecedented and indicative of deep fractures within the country’s political system.
For now, Kabila’s whereabouts remain unclear, and it is uncertain whether he will face arrest or international legal action. His case is expected to heighten political tensions in Kinshasa and further complicate efforts to stabilize one of Africa’s most resource-rich yet conflict-affected nations.
