Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president Joseph Kabila has been sentenced to death by a military court.
Kabila, who ruled the country from 2001 to 2019, was convicted of treason and crimes against humanity.
The court also found him guilty of murder, sexual assault, torture, and insurrection.
The verdict was delivered in his absence. Kabila’s current whereabouts are unknown. He was last seen in April during a visit to the war-torn eastern region of the DRC.
The court awarded him the maximum punishment for his crimes, which is death.
Kabila had lived in South Africa for years after handing over power. On his return earlier this year, he was accused of siding with the M23 rebel group. The rebels control large parts of the resource-rich eastern DRC, where fighting has displaced thousands.
His legal team represented him throughout the trial, but he did not attend in person.
Kabila, the fourth president of the DRC, left a controversial legacy. His 18-year rule is often described as one of Africa’s long-standing dictatorships.
By Vivian K.