In a landmark ruling, former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has been sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes, treason, and crimes against humanity. The charges stem from allegations that Kabila supported the M23 rebel group, which has caused widespread devastation in the country’s eastern region. The verdict, delivered on Friday, includes accusations of murder, sexual assault, torture, and insurrection. Kabila, who has dismissed the case as “arbitrary,” claims the judiciary is being used as an “instrument of oppression.” His current location remains unknown. Kabila, 54, led the DRC for 18 years after succeeding his father, Laurent Kabila, who was assassinated in 2001. He handed power to current President Félix Tshisekedi in 2019 but later fell out with him, leading to his self-imposed exile in 2023. In May 2024, Kabila returned to the M23-held city of Goma, stating his intention to help resolve the ongoing conflict in the east. However, Tshisekedi accused him of orchestrating the M23 rebellion, and senators revoked his legal immunity, enabling his prosecution. The conflict escalated earlier this year when M23 seized control of key areas in the mineral-rich east, including Goma and Bukavu. The UN and several Western nations have accused Rwanda of backing M23, a claim Kigali denies. Despite a July ceasefire agreement, violence persists in the region.