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DW
4 days 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
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-DR Congo president returns to country, party says
Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila is back in the country for the first time in two years having arrived in the M23-held eastern city of Goma, two spokespeople from the rebel group as well as a youth leader from his party have said. Kabila's arrival comes after senators stripped him of his immunity over alleged support for the Rwanda-backed M23 which has been fighting the Congolese army. Kabila, who has previously denied a link with the rebel group, recently decried the justice system for permitting itself to being "exploited for political end". The 53-year-old led DR Congo for 18 years, after succeeding his father Laurent, who was shot dead in 2001. Speaking to the BBC, a Goma youth leader for Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), confirmed earlier reports from the M23 that Kabila had returned and stated that residents were "happy" about his arrival. "Kabila should be allowed full access to the country. For us it is like a father has returned to his children," Innocent Mirimo told BBC Swahili. Last month, the PPRD was banned because of its "ambiguous attitude" to the occupation of Congolese territory by the M23. In a message on X, rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka welcomed Kabila to Goma saying: "We wish him a pleasant stay in the liberated areas." A similar message was shared by another spokesperson, Willy Ngoma. The Congolese authorities, who accuse Kabila of war crimes and treason, say there is a "substantial body of documents, testimony and material facts" that link the former leader to the M23. In a now-deleted YouTube video released on Friday, Kabila called the Congolese government, led by President Félix Tshisekedi a "dictatorship", and stated there was a "decline of democracy" in the country. He also outlined his plan to end decades of instability in the country. Congolese government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, has rejected Kabila's remarks, telling Congolese TV channel RTNC TV that Kabila "has nothing to offer the country". Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 first broke out in 2012 and ended in a peace deal the following year. But in 2021 the group took up arms again, saying the promises made in the deal had been broken. Since the beginning of this year, the M23 has made major advances in the mineral-rich east, including taking the key city of Goma in January. The group, which Rwanda has denied backing, says its goal is to protect the minority Tutsi-ethnic group. However, the ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians who have been forced to flee their homes in the last few months. Kabila, who stepped down as DR Congo's president in 2019, was once an ally of President Tshisekedi. However the two men fell out, culminating in the termination of their parties' coalition in December 2020. The former president has been living outside the country, in South Africa, for the past two years. But at the beginning of last month he said he would be returning to help find a solution to the conflict in the east. What's the fighting in DR Congo all about? The evidence that shows Rwanda is backing rebels in DR Congo 'We would vote for peace - if we had a vote' Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-DR Congo president returns to country, party says
Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila is back in the country for the first time in two years having arrived in the M23-held eastern city of Goma, two spokespeople from the rebel group as well as a youth leader from his party have said. Kabila's arrival comes after senators stripped him of his immunity over alleged support for the Rwanda-backed M23 which has been fighting the Congolese army. Kabila, who has previously denied a link with the rebel group, recently decried the justice system for permitting itself to being "exploited for political end". The 53-year-old led DR Congo for 18 years, after succeeding his father Laurent, who was shot dead in 2001. Speaking to the BBC, a Goma youth leader for Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), confirmed earlier reports from the M23 that Kabila had returned and stated that residents were "happy" about his arrival. "Kabila should be allowed full access to the country. For us it is like a father has returned to his children," Innocent Mirimo told BBC Swahili. Last month, the PPRD was banned because of its "ambiguous attitude" to the occupation of Congolese territory by the M23. In a message on X, rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka welcomed Kabila to Goma saying: "We wish him a pleasant stay in the liberated areas." A similar message was shared by another spokesperson, Willy Ngoma. The Congolese authorities, who accuse Kabila of war crimes and treason, say there is a "substantial body of documents, testimony and material facts" that link the former leader to the M23. In a now-deleted YouTube video released on Friday, Kabila called the Congolese government, led by President Félix Tshisekedi a "dictatorship", and stated there was a "decline of democracy" in the country. He also outlined his plan to end decades of instability in the country. Congolese government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, has rejected Kabila's remarks, telling Congolese TV channel RTNC TV that Kabila "has nothing to offer the country". Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 first broke out in 2012 and ended in a peace deal the following year. But in 2021 the group took up arms again, saying the promises made in the deal had been broken. Since the beginning of this year, the M23 has made major advances in the mineral-rich east, including taking the key city of Goma in January. The group, which Rwanda has denied backing, says its goal is to protect the minority Tutsi-ethnic group. However, the ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians who have been forced to flee their homes in the last few months. Kabila, who stepped down as DR Congo's president in 2019, was once an ally of President Tshisekedi. However the two men fell out, culminating in the termination of their parties' coalition in December 2020. The former president has been living outside the country, in South Africa, for the past two years. But at the beginning of last month he said he would be returning to help find a solution to the conflict in the east. What's the fighting in DR Congo all about? The evidence that shows Rwanda is backing rebels in DR Congo 'We would vote for peace - if we had a vote' Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Joseph Kabila: Ex-DR Congo president returns to the country, party says
Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila is back in the country for the first time in two years having arrived in the M23-held eastern city of Goma, two spokespeople from the rebel group as well as a youth leader from his party have arrival comes after senators stripped him of his immunity over alleged support for the Rwanda-backed M23 which has been fighting the Congolese who has previously denied a link with the rebel group, recently decried the justice system for permitting itself to being "exploited for political end".The 53-year-old led DR Congo for 18 years, after succeeding his father Laurent, who was shot dead in 2001. Speaking to the BBC, a Goma youth leader for Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), confirmed earlier reports from the M23 that Kabila had returned and stated that residents were "happy" about his arrival."Kabila should be allowed full access to the country. For us it is like a father has returned to his children," Innocent Mirimo told BBC month, the PPRD was banned because of its "ambiguous attitude" to the occupation of Congolese territory by the a message on X, rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka welcomed Kabila to Goma saying: "We wish him a pleasant stay in the liberated areas."A similar message was shared by another spokesperson, Willy Congolese authorities, who accuse Kabila of war crimes and treason, say there is a "substantial body of documents, testimony and material facts" that link the former leader to the a now-deleted YouTube video released on Friday, Kabila called the Congolese government, led by President Félix Tshisekedi a "dictatorship", and stated there was a "decline of democracy" in the also outlined his plan to end decades of instability in the country. Congolese government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, has rejected Kabila's remarks, telling Congolese TV channel RTNC TV that Kabila "has nothing to offer the country".Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 first broke out in 2012 and ended in a peace deal the following year. But in 2021 the group took up arms again, saying the promises made in the deal had been the beginning of this year, the M23 has made major advances in the mineral-rich east, including taking the key city of Goma in group, which Rwanda has denied backing, says its goal is to protect the minority Tutsi-ethnic the ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians who have been forced to flee their homes in the last few months. Kabila, who stepped down as DR Congo's president in 2019, was once an ally of President Tshisekedi. However the two men fell out, culminating in the termination of their parties' coalition in December former president has been living outside the country, in South Africa, for the past two years. But at the beginning of last month he said he would be returning to help find a solution to the conflict in the east. More BBC Africa stories about DR Congo: What's the fighting in DR Congo all about?The evidence that shows Rwanda is backing rebels in DR Congo'We would vote for peace - if we had a vote' Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Euronews
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
At least seven Sudanese migrants found dead deep in Libyan desert
At least seven migrants from Sudan have been found dead after their vehicle broke down and left them stranded for days deep in the Libyan desert, according to an ambulance service official. The car was carrying 34 Sudanese nationals when it broke down crossing Libya's border from Chad and onto a deserted path often used by smugglers, Ebrahim Belhassan, director of the Kufra Ambulance and Emergency Services, said. They were discovered in the sand dunes after 11 days, having run out of food and water, he said. "The survivors were almost about to die. They are severely dehydrated and exhibiting signs of distress and trauma with such circumstances and given that they're seeing those around them dying and they know if they will die next," he said. The 22 people rescued, including five children, were transferred to Kufra for medical checks. Five people are missing, but Belhassan said hopes were slim they would survive on foot in the vast desert. A smuggler who found them alerted emergency crews, Belhassan said. Libya, which shares borders with six nations and has a long coastline along the Mediterranean, is a main transit point for migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East, and often trying to reach Europe. The International Organization for Migration estimates around 787,000 migrants and refugees from various nationalities lived in Libya as of 2024. During last year, the Kufra ambulance service responded to emergencies involving more than 260 Sudanese migrants found in the desert, Belhassan said. The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) parliament has voted to lift former President Joseph Kabila's immunity over his alleged support of the M23 rebels in the east of the country. Kabila, who ruled the African nation between 2001 and 2019, has denied the allegations. In a secret ballot late on Thursday, politicians decided by 88 votes to five to rescind the lifetime immunity Kabila enjoyed as an honorary senator. The move leaves the former president open to prosecution, something that the DRC's military attorney general had sought. Kabila is accused of "treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity and participation in an insurrectional movement" in the country's east, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba said. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi alleged last year that Kabila was helping the rebels to prepare an insurrection. Last month, the country's authorities acted against Kabila by moving to suspend his People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) and to seize the assets of its leaders. The PPRD has called the targeting of Kabila "pure theatre," claiming the government intends to use his prosecution to distract the public from the real challenges the country faces. Kabila, who has lived for the past two years in South Africa, announced he would be stepping down after mass protests in the DRC in 2018. The former president, who became the DRC's leader at just 29 following the assassination of his father, has expressed a desire to end the conflict in the east, where around 100 armed groups are vying for control of mineral resources. The M23 rebels, who are said to be supported by 4,000 troops from Rwanda, gained territory in the region in January, capturing the key city of Goma. They later also took the area's second largest city, Bukavu. Both the Congolese army and the rebels have been accused of crimes in the war-torn east. Despite agreeing earlier this month to work towards a truce, the DRC's army and the M23 rebels continue to fight in the eastern South-Kivu province.
