DR Congo strips ex-President Kabila of immunity
Al JazeeraMAY 23
DRC Senate Strips Former President Kabila of Immunity
Above: Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Senate, speaks during plenary session devoted to voting on the lifting of former DRC President Joseph Kabila's immunities in Kinshasa on May 22, 2025. Image copyright: Glody Murhabazi/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
This prosecution represents long-overdue accountability for a former leader who has undermined Congo's sovereignty and stability. The evidence linking Kabila to the M23 rebels is substantial, with clear documentation showing his support for insurgents who have terrorized civilians and seized mineral-rich territories.
Government-critical narrative
The charges against Kabila constitute a politically motivated witch hunt designed to eliminate opposition. The rushed proceedings without proper institutional balance set a dangerous precedent that undermines democratic norms and distracts from the government's failures in addressing the real causes of the crisis in eastern Congo.