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Time of India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ex-Congo leader Joseph Kabila resurfaces from exile
AP image Joseph Kabila, the self-exiled former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), appeared in public for the first time since 2023 on Thursday. Kabila, who is wanted on suspicion of crimes against humanity for his support of insurgents accused of massacring civilians in the eastern part of the country, appeared in rebel-held territory to meet with local religious leaders in what was billed as an effort to mediate peace. Beyond the threat of prosecution, authorities in Congo are also seeking to ban Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) as well as seizing assets held by its leaders. Kabila has said for weeks that he would return to help find a solution to an ongoing conflict that has seen M23 rebels make large territorial gains since January. Kabila, who has spent much of his exile in South Africa, has denied ties to M23. Kabila: Peace broker or would-be rebel leader? After meeting with Kabila at the former president's residence outside Goma in eastern Congo on Thursday, Joel Amurani said, "The former president... called us to express his wish to see peace return to the eastern part of the country and throughout the country." Amurani is president of the Interfaith Synergy for Peace and Mediation, a religious group that attended the meeting. An aide to Kabila said further talks would be held with political, military and civic leaders on Friday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Kabila gave no indication of how long he would remain in the rebel-held area. The government of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi this week accused Kabila of "positioning himself as the rebel leader" alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame as a result of his sudden reappearance after rebel advances. The United Nations and other Western nations accuse Rwanda of supplying arms and assistance to M23 rebels battling Congolese forces, something Kagame's government denies. Kabila's return could complicate plans for a US-proposed Congo-Rwanda peace agreement paired with a multi-billion-dollar minerals deal in the resource-rich country. Massad Boulos, White House senior Africa adviser and the father-in-law of US President Donald Trump's daughter Tiffany, has previously said the deal could be finalized by summer. Eastern Congo is known for its vast mineral riches, however, the World Bank ranks the DR Congo as one of the five poorest countries in the world. During his time in power, Kabila oversaw the sale of cobalt, copper, diamonds and uranium during a reign marked by accusations of corruption and poor governance. Congo's current government calls ex-President Kabila a traitor Joseph Kabila took control of Congo as a 29-year-old when his father, Laurent Kabila, was killed by a bodyguard. The younger Kabila then led Congo for 18 years before ultimately stepping aside to make way for Felix Tshisekedi in 2019 — in what was the first "peaceful" transition of power in the country since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960. Before Kabila stepped down, however, dozens of civilians were killed after he delayed the vote and clung to power. Though he had maintained a low profile while wielding considerable political influence behind the scenes since then, Kabila broke his public silence last Friday when he delivered a speech decrying what he called "dictatorship" in the DRC. Tshisekedi's government now accuses Kabila of treason.
TimesLIVE
18 hours ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
DRC ex-president Kabila makes first public appearance in rebel-held Goma
The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) former president Joseph Kabila appeared for the first time in public in rebel-held territory in the country's volatile east on Thursday, meeting with religious leaders in what participants said was a push for peace. Kabila, who has been out of the country since 2023, mostly in South Africa, is wanted in DRC for alleged crimes against humanity for supporting the insurgency in the east, including a role in the massacre of civilians. DRC has also moved to suspend his political party and seize the assets of its leaders. The former president's camp denies any ties to the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who have seized more territory than ever since January. He had been vowing to return to the Central African country for weeks to help find a solution to the conflict. His return could complicate Washington's plans for a peace agreement between DRC and Rwanda. Massad Boulos, Trump's senior adviser for Africa, told Reuters earlier this month the deal could be signed this summer, accompanied by minerals deals aimed at bringing billions of dollars of Western investment to the region. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi's government in Kinshasa this week accused Kabila of "positioning himself as the rebel leader" along with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
DW
a day ago
- Politics
- DW
Ex-Congo leader Joseph Kabila resurfaces from exile – DW – 05/29/2025
Joseph Kabila, former president of the DR Congo, appeared in the rebel-held eastern Congo "to push for peace." Kabila has been accused of atrocities in supporting insurgents. Joseph Kabila, the self-exiled former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), appeared in public for the first time since 2023 on Thursday. Kabila, who is wanted on suspicion of crimes against humanity for his support of insurgents accused of massacring civilians in the eastern part of the country, appeared in rebel-held territory to meet with local religious leaders in what was billed as an effort to mediate peace. Beyond the threat of prosecution, authorities in Congo are also seeking to ban Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) as well as seizing assets held by its leaders. Kabila has said for weeks that he would return to help find a solution to an ongoing conflict that has seen M23 rebels make large territorial gains since January. Kabila, who has spent much of his exile in South Africa, has denied ties to M23. Kabila: Peace broker or would-be rebel leader? After meeting with Kabila at the former president's residence outside Goma in eastern Congo on Thursday, Joel Amurani said, "The former president... called us to express his wish to see peace return to the eastern part of the country and throughout the country." Amurani is president of the Interfaith Synergy for Peace and Mediation, a religious group that attended the meeting. An aide to Kabila said further talks would be held with political, military and civic leaders on Friday. Kabila invited religious leaders to his home to discuss a path to peace in the DRC Image: Jospin Mwisha/AFP Kabila gave no indication of how long he would remain in the rebel-held area. The government of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi this week accused Kabila of "positioning himself as the rebel leader" alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame as a result of his sudden reappearance after rebel advances. The United Nations and other Western nations accuse Rwanda of supplying arms and assistance to M23 rebels battling Congolese forces, something Kagame's government denies. Kabila's return could complicate plans for a US-proposed Congo-Rwanda peace agreement paired with a multi-billion-dollar minerals deal in the resource-rich country. Massad Boulos, White House senior Africa adviser and the father-in-law of US President Donald Trump's daughter Tiffany, has previously said the deal could be finalized by summer. Eastern Congo is known for its vast mineral riches, however, the World Bank ranks the DR Congo as one of the five poorest countries in the world. During his time in power, Kabila oversaw the sale of cobalt, copper, diamonds and uranium during a reign marked by accusations of corruption and poor governance. Congo's current government calls ex-President Kabila a traitor Joseph Kabila took control of Congo as a 29-year-old when his father, Laurent Kabila, was killed by a bodyguard. The younger Kabila then led Congo for 18 years before ultimately stepping aside to make way for Felix Tshisekedi in 2019 — in what was the first "peaceful" transition of power in the country since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960. Before Kabila stepped down, however, dozens of civilians were killed after he delayed the vote and clung to power. Though he had maintained a low profile while wielding considerable political influence behind the scenes since then, Kabila broke his public silence last Friday when he delivered a speech decrying what he called "dictatorship" in the DRC. Tshisekedi's government now accuses Kabila of treason. Edited by Sean Sinico
a day ago
- Politics
Former Congolese leader Kabila meets with religious leaders in rebel-controlled city
GOMA, Congo -- Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila, who is accused by the government of supporting Rwanda-backed rebels in the country's conflict-battered east, on Thursday met with top religious leaders in the rebel-controlled city of Goma. During the meeting — his first public engagement since Congolese authorities lifted his immunity amid a treason probe - Kabila expressed his desire to help achieve peace in the troubled region, according to one of the religious leaders. 'The former president called us to express his wish to see peace return,' Joel Amurani, senior bishop and president of the Religious Denominations Platform, said after the meeting. 'We told him to play the role of referee. For 18 years, he has worked for the unity of this country, and he still possesses this talent to contribute to the return of peace,' Amurani added. Kabila, who led Congo from 2001 to 2019, is accused by the government of supporting the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that have seized two major cities in the country's east. He had been in self-imposed exile since 2023 until April when he arrived in the key city of Goma in the east. Among his alleged crimes include 'treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity and participation in an insurrectional movement' in the country's east, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba has said. The Congolese government has not spoken publicly about any plans to charge Kabila for the alleged crimes. However, the senate last week voted to grant the government's request and lift his lifetime immunity because of his honorific title as senator for life. Congolese political analyst Hubert Masomeko described the current political situation as a 'dangerous standoff' between the Congolese government and Kabila.
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Former Congolese leader Kabila meets with religious leaders in rebel-controlled city
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila, who is accused by the government of supporting Rwanda-backed rebels in the country's conflict-battered east, on Thursday met with top religious leaders in the rebel-controlled city of Goma. During the meeting — his first public engagement since Congolese authorities lifted his immunity amid a treason probe - Kabila expressed his desire to help achieve peace in the troubled region, according to one of the religious leaders. 'The former president called us to express his wish to see peace return,' Joel Amurani, senior bishop and president of the Religious Denominations Platform, said after the meeting. 'We told him to play the role of referee. For 18 years, he has worked for the unity of this country, and he still possesses this talent to contribute to the return of peace,' Amurani added. Kabila, who led Congo from 2001 to 2019, is accused by the government of supporting the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that have seized two major cities in the country's east. He had been in self-imposed exile since 2023 until April when he arrived in the key city of Goma in the east. Among his alleged crimes include 'treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity and participation in an insurrectional movement' in the country's east, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba has said. The Congolese government has not spoken publicly about any plans to charge Kabila for the alleged crimes. However, the senate last week voted to grant the government's request and lift his lifetime immunity because of his honorific title as senator for life. Congolese political analyst Hubert Masomeko described the current political situation as a 'dangerous standoff' between the Congolese government and Kabila.
