Congo’s former President Joseph Kabila has denounced the government as a dictatorship after his immunity was lifted in a treason probe. The Senate voted to strip him of his lifetime immunity, paving the way for prosecution on alleged war crimes and treason charges.
Kabila, who led Congo from 2001 to 2019, accused President Felix Tshisekedi of orchestrating a regime change that is eroding democracy. He claimed that the government has become a “rubber stamp” for one person’s will, stifling opposition and undermining national unity.
The former president maintained his commitment to Congo’s future, emphasizing the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, he denied supporting the M23 rebels in eastern Congo, which have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians.
Despite Kabila’s denials, Human Rights Watch reported that a Congolese army-backed militia has committed human rights abuses against civilians in the war-torn east. The crisis in eastern Congo continues to spread, with fighting ongoing in the province of South-Kivu.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/congo-kabila-immunity-senate-m23-c93aa7d38ebc3b93ccde1c1c9cc8e182