The Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended the political party of former President Joseph Kabila, citing allegations that it supported Rwandan-backed rebels in the east. The government also ordered the seizure of Kabila’s assets, accusing him and other leaders of treason.
Kabila ruled from 2001-2019 and stepped down after deadly protests. He recently expressed interest in returning to Congo to help resolve the ongoing war.
The interior ministry stated that Kabila’s party was suspended for aiding the M23 rebels, while the justice ministry said his assets would be seized due to “acts amounting to high treason.” Prosecutors have been instructed to initiate proceedings against him, but no further details were provided.
Kabila’s party secretary, Ferdinand Kambere, denied the suspension as a flagrant violation of the constitution. The M23 rebels have taken control of two major cities in the mineral-rich east, fueling decades of conflict in the region.
The conflict is rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the struggle for control of minerals. Kabila came to power after his father’s assassination and refused to step down when his term expired in 2016.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-suspends-former-president-kabilas-political-party-2025-04-20