Kinshasa, Sept 30, (dpa/GNA) – Congo’s former president, Joseph Kabila, was sentenced on Tuesday to death in absentia by the High Military Court in Kinshasa, for treason and war crimes.
Kabila, who ruled the resource-rich Central African nation from 2001 to 2019, was found guilty of crimes including the glorification of violence, conspiracy and plotting to overthrow the government.
The charges relate to his role in the conflict between the government and the M23 militia, which captured large areas of eastern Congo this year.
Kabila denied the allegations.
The court ordered the immediate arrest of the former president, who has lived in exile for about two years, including in South Africa. The trial began in July.
Judgements of the military are not subject to appeal.
His sentence could only be enforced if he returns to the country. The 54-year-old was also ordered to pay $33 billion in damages to the state and to the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu.
GNA