Former President Joseph Kabila Kabange, who led the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 2001 to 2019, is expected to deliver a public address to Congolese citizens on the night of May 23, 2025, following a dramatic decision by the country’s Senate to strip him of parliamentary immunity.
On the night of May 22, the Congolese Senate voted in favor of lifting Kabila’s immunity, paving the way for legal proceedings by the military prosecutor’s office. The charges he now faces are serious and include treason, involvement in an unauthorized armed group, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
These accusations are linked to a controversial visit Kabila made to the eastern city of Goma in April 2025, a territory currently under the control of the M23/AFC coalition—an armed group engaged in a violent conflict with the Congolese national army (FARDC). Authorities allege that Kabila has longstanding ties with the leadership of this coalition, which the government considers a threat to national security.
The DRC government has repeatedly accused Kabila of playing a leadership role within the M23/AFC alliance. However, during a trip to South Africa in March, Kabila publicly dismissed the allegations as unfounded, stating that if he were truly involved with the group, the conflict in eastern Congo would have escalated differently.
Kabila has been living in exile since late 2023. It remains unclear from where he will deliver his statement.
