Congolese senators have voted to remove the immunity of former President Joseph Kabila, enabling military prosecutors to take legal action against him. On Thursday, 88 senators supported the motion, while five opposed it and three abstained.
This decision follows a request made by the justice minister last month, urging military courts to investigate Kabila’s alleged direct involvement with the AFC/M23 rebel group amid escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The military prosecutor has charged Kabila with treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and supporting an insurrection. This decision has elicited mixed reactions.
Senators from the ruling UDPS party emphasized that lifting immunity does not imply guilt. Senator Jules Lodi reminded everyone that Kabila is presumed innocent but asserted that no one is above the law.
Fellow UDPS senator Jean Tshisekedi referred to the vote as historic, labeling the accusations as serious threats to the nation.
Kabila swiftly responded on social media. In a post on X, he described the Senate’s decision as a “desperate political act,” criticizing it for being hasty and disrespectful of institutional balance.
