A military tribunal in Kinshasa has sentenced former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila to death in absentia, also ordering him to pay US $50 billion in damages.

Kabila, who led the country from 2001 to 2019, faced trial in July on charges including treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The court found him guilty of offenses such as murder, sexual assault, torture, and insurrection, in relation to his alleged support for the M23 rebel group.

Lieutenant General Joseph Mutombo Katalayi, presiding over the tribunal, invoked Article 7 of the Military Penal Code to issue the capital sentence.

Kabila was not present during the proceedings and has been living abroad primarily in South Africa since 2023.

Analysts warn the verdict could exacerbate already tense pol

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