Kabila Criticizes Government as Treason Charges Loom Over Him

As Joseph Kabila shifts his stance against President Félix Tshisekedi, he highlights concerns over the current governance amid rising tensions in the DRC, setting the stage for potential instability.

Former President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Joseph Kabila, has launched a stark condemnation against the current administration led by Félix Tshisekedi, describing it as a "dictatorship". The 53-year-old ex-leader delivered a lengthy address via YouTube on Friday, just a day after the DRC Senate revoked his immunity from prosecution. The government plans to file treason and war crimes charges against Kabila, connecting him to the M23 rebels backed by Rwanda, who have recently seized control of several towns in eastern DRC.

Kabila, who ruled from 2001 until 2019, expressed concern that the nation's unity is in jeopardy. Political analysts warn that any legal proceedings against Kabila could further destabilize the DRC, which has been grappling with the M23 rebellion since 2012. The Tshisekedi administration has yet to offset Kabila's allegations, which included a 12-point plan aimed at addressing ongoing insecurity in the resource-rich eastern regions.

Wearing a navy suit adorned with a Congolese flag badge, Kabila spoke in what was referred to as an "address to the nation," highlighted by the playing of the national anthem. The YouTube link to his broadcast has since been removed but has spread widely across other platforms. Once politically aligned with Tshisekedi, Kabila’s relationship soured after their coalition disbanded in 2020. For the past two years, he has resided outside DRC, initially to study in South Africa.

During his address, Kabila criticized the government’s recent "arbitrary decisions" that escalated following rumors of his visit to Goma. Consequently, authorities prohibited Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) and seized his assets. He denounced what he called a considerable decline in democracy, asserting the government is undermining the constitution, neglecting parliamentary accountability, and allowing political exploitation of the judicial system.

Kabila also lamented the government's poor economic management, indicating that public debt has surged to over $10 billion, and questioned the government's ineffective control over security. He cited the reliance on mercenary groups and foreign armed forces as detrimental to stability, while urging for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from DRC. Notably, he welcomed a recent Southern African Development Community (SADC) decision to withdraw troops aiding the national army against the M23.

With Kabila asserting that the progress made during his 18-year tenure has been wasted, he warned of a regression into a "failed state" and called for the restoration of democracy and effective governance. He urged the current government to engage with the M23, advocating for a more inclusive peace process supported by the Catholic Church, as both the DRC and Rwanda appear to be inching closer to a peace agreement to resolve the ongoing conflict that has displaced countless civilians.