Congo ex-president Kabila lambasts justice system to lift his immunity

24/5/2025 6:24

Congo's former President Joseph Kabila on Friday lambasted the Central African country's justice system, a day after the senate voted overwhelmingly in favour of lifting his immunity from prosecution over his alleged links to the M23 rebel group.



Kabila is wanted in Congo for alleged crimes against humanity for supporting the insurgency in the east, including a role in the massacre of civilians. Congo has also moved to suspend his political party and seize the assets of its leaders.



"As for the justice system ... it has completely abdicated its responsibilities, allowing itself to be openly exploited for political ends," Kabila, who denies any ties to the rebel group, said in a speech on Friday evening.



"It is therefore nothing more than an instrument of oppression for a dictatorship desperately trying to survive," he said.



He also called for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops from the national territory.