Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) imposter President Félix Tshisekedi has initiated a process at eliminating his predecessor Joseph Kabila from possible return to politics by lifting his immunity.
Tshisekedi has instructed his judicial puppet and Minister of Justice Constant Mutamba through the armed forces general auditor’s office to formally request the Senate to lift Kabila’s immunity to allow legal proceedings against him.
Even without proof, Mutamba has publicly expressed the government’s desire to have Kabila persecuted on accusations that the former president supports and collaborates with the AFC-M23 rebel movement.
“The Congolese judiciary has gathered the most tangible and irrefutable evidence supporting the clear involvement, the direct participation of senator for life Joseph Kabila in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the massacres of peaceful citizens,” Mutamba told reporters.
“We expect from the senate the pure and simple lifting of immunity so the case can be heard by the High Military Court,” Mutamba added.
After almost a year in self-imposed exile, Kabila returned to the DR Congo through the eastern regions of North and South Kivu provinces which is largely controlled by the AFC-M23 rebels.
When Kabila visited Goma on April 18, 2025—a city under the control of the AFC/M23 coalition since late January—the Congolese government declared its intention to seize all his assets, calling his presence in the area further proof of his alleged ties to the rebel alliance.
However, Kabila’s entourage have defended the visit, saying the former president was participating in peace talks aimed at resolving the country’s persistent insecurity in the east.
Tshisekedi views Kabila as a serious threat to his continued rule and fears that his predecessor could be on a mission to reclaim back power.
