Dr. Congo Senate Stipps ex-president on immunity on charges of treason

The Senate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo deprived former President Joseph Kabila about his immunity, paving the way to pursue his alleged support for rebels in the East.

Authorities accused him of treason and war crimes by saying Was “a significant composition of documents, indications and material facts” By linking Kabyla to the M23 armed group, which has taken control of several cities in the Mineral East.

The 53 -year -old Kabila did not comment on the allegations, but in the past denied any connection with the rebels.

Almost 90 senators voted on the persecution of treason on Thursday, and five opposed it.

“The Senate will allow the persecution and lifting of Joseph’s immunity,” said Senate Jean-Michel Lukenda herself after the vote on Thursday.

The former president, who led the country from 2001 to 2019, did not appear before the Senate to protect itself.

After leaving, he was given the “Senator for Life” title, giving him legal immunity.

In order to continue the allegations against him, Dr. Congo’s military prosecutor asked the Senate to withdraw this privilege.

Kabila has been living outside the country, in South Africa, over the last two years. But at the beginning of last month, he said he would return to help find the solution of the conflict in the East.

A few weeks later, reports appeared that the former president had returned and was in Homo, one of the cities captured by M23.

But they were abandoned by his political party, the People’s Reconstruction and Democracy Party (PPRD).

Last month, Authorities have banned PPRD Due to his “ambiguous attitude” to the classes of the M23 Congolese.

Justice Minister Mutambo said the former president should return to the country and “confront justice … and submit his defense.”

Analysts say any Cabili Court can further destabilize the M23 rebellion since 2012.

The Kabila Party called him the persecution of the “pure theater” aimed at distracting the Congolese people from the major problems facing the country, reports AFP Agency.