Congo’s chief prosecutor has demanded the death penalty for former President Joseph Kabila, who is currently being tried in absentia on charges of war crimes. The former leader faces a lot of accusations, including murder, rape, and other atrocities tied to his nearly two decade rule.
Kabila, who assumed power at just 29 in 2001 after the assassination of his father, remained in office until 2019. He is further accused by the Congolese government of backing the Rwanda supported M23 rebels, a claim his loyalists insist is part of a politically driven witch hunt.
His immunity as a former president was officially lifted in May, a move many analysts described as a decisive step toward prosecution. During Friday’s court session, the prosecution also pushed for a 20 year prison term for war crimes and an additional 15 years for conspiracy.
