Blitz Bureau
KINSHASA: The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Senate has stripped former President Joseph Kabila of his immunity, paving the way for his prosecution over his alleged backing of rebels in the east, reported BBC News.
Authorities have accused him of treason and war crimes, saying there was a “substantial body of documents, testimony and material facts” linking Kabila to the M23 armed group, which has taken control of several towns in the mineralrich east. Kabila, 53, has not commented on the accusations but has in the past denied any connection with the insurgents.
Nearly 90 Senators voted in favour of his treason prosecution, while five opposed it. “The senate authorises the prosecution and lifting of Joseph Kabila’s immunity,” declared Senate Speaker Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde after vote. The former President, who led the country between 2001 and 2019, did not appear before the Senate to defend himself.
After stepping down, he was given the title of ‘Senator for Life’, which gives him legal immunity. In order to pursue the charges against him, DR Congo’s military prosecutor had asked the senate to lift this privilege. Kabila has been living outside the country, in South Africa, for the past two years. But at the beginning of last month he said he would be returning to help find a solution to the conflict in the east.
A few weeks later, there were reports that the former President had come back and was in Goma, one of the cities captured by the M23. But these were denied by his political party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy.
