Former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila, is once again in the DRC. He returned from self-imposed exile — which started in 2020. Yet even while facing such egregious accusations of providing support to armed insurgents in the region, he was able to visit the eastern city of Goma. His visit was particularly timely, as only recently the DRC Senate lifted his immunity – allowing for his prosecution to proceed.
Kabila, given the circumstances, was president from 2001 to 2019. Now, he is under serious indictment for having funded the M23 militia, an armed group, financed by Rwanda and infamous for gruesome human rights violations against civilians. The need is urgent, as the United Nations estimates that new fighting in the eastern DRC has newly displaced some 700,000 people just this calendar year. As the recent increase in violence has led to concerns of a full-blown intifada, most fear it would repeat the catastrophic conflicts of the late 1990s.
While Kabila has publicly denied the allegations against him, he has criticized the charges as “arbitrary decisions with disconcerting levity.” According to sources close to Kabila, he met with local residents in Goma during his visit, aiming to discuss pressing issues affecting the community.
The M23 coalition asserts that its first objective is to defend the interests of ethnic minorities against the Kinshasa government. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned their actions, stating that they involve “including torture, killings, and enforced disappearances.” Amnesty International further asserts that “these acts violate international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.”
As we adjust to this new political reality, the political landscape in the DRC is still incredibly fragile. If he does return, it may heighten existing tensions. Instead, he may soon be on trial for treason himself, for his role in allegedly supporting rebel group M23. The militia has since seized all of eastern DRC’s most resource-rich regions, including Goma. This shocking turn of events is increasing anxiety among the residents about their security and health.
