Joseph Kabila Declared Fugitive in DR Congo After Treason Conviction

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:32:00 +0200

Former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila, has been declared a fugitive by Congolese authorities following a treason conviction. A military court found him guilty in absentia in 2025, accusing him of supporting armed rebel groups operating in the country’s volatile eastern region. He was reportedly sentenced to death, although his current whereabouts are unknown. Kabila has strongly denied the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated and intended to sideline him from Congolese politics.

This development marks a significant deterioration in relations between Kabila and his successor, President Félix Tshisekedi. The two leaders initially attempted a power-sharing agreement following the disputed 2018 elections, but the alliance ultimately collapsed amid accusations of betrayal. Government officials allege that Kabila maintained ties to insurgent factions destabilizing the mineral-rich eastern provinces, though no definitive public evidence has