The military justice system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo accused former President Joseph Kabila of complicity with the AFC/M23 rebellion, which has taken control of several areas in the country’s east. And the Senate voted by a large majority on Thursday evening, May 22, to lift Kabila’s immunity.
The DRC Senate’s special committee’s vote had a clear outcome: 96 votes, 88 in favor, 5 against, and the rest deemed invalid.
At the plenary session, Senate President Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde announced, “Therefore, the Senate authorizes the prosecution and the lifting of the immunity of Joseph Kabila, senator for life.” The entourage of the former president of Congo condemned this as a political ploy by the ruling party.