In a recent unprecedented address, Kabila expressed concerns over national unity and criticized the government's handling of security amidst the ongoing M23 rebellion.
**Ex-Congo President Kabila Accuses Government of Dictatorship Following Treason Immunity Lift**
**Ex-Congo President Kabila Accuses Government of Dictatorship Following Treason Immunity Lift**
Former leader Joseph Kabila speaks out against the current government after his immunity against treason charges is revoked, labeling the regime as dictatorial.
In a live-streamed address from an undisclosed location, former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila vehemently denounced the current government of President Félix Tshisekedi, labeling it a "dictatorship." His remarks followed the Senate's decision to lift his immunity from prosecution, allowing authorities to move forward with treason and war crime charges related to his suspected connections with the M23 rebel group, which has gained control of parts of eastern DRC.
Kabila, who served as president from 2001 until 2019, delivered his speech on YouTube, where he articulated fears that the unity of the nation was under threat. This public address comes after a long period of silence; he has refrained from official communications for six years. Analysts suggest that any legal proceedings against Kabila could exacerbate the already fragile situation in DRC, currently embroiled in conflict with the M23 forces since 2012.
In his address, Kabila outlined a 12-point plan aimed at resolving the long-standing insecurity afflicting eastern DRC, a region rich in mineral resources. He condemned recent governmental actions, including the ban on his political party, the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), and asset seizures, attributing these decisions to a decline in democratic governance.
Kabila criticized the current administration's economic policies, which he stated have led to soaring national debt exceeding $10 billion, and he took a hard stance against what he described as the government’s inept management of the country's security issues. He vocalized grievances regarding the reliance on various militias, claiming that the national army was compromised, degenerating into a collection of mercenary factions.
Addressing the context of the troubling security landscape, he referenced the historically rooted presence of armed groups, such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), linking the current turmoil to past conflicts, including the Rwandan Genocide of 1994.
Kabila called for the withdrawal of foreign troops, particularly those from Rwanda, which he sees as exacerbating the conflict. He welcomed a recent consensus by the Southern African Development Community to withdraw supportive troops, reinforcing his appeal for domestic peace initiatives, including those facilitated by the Catholic church.
Despite Kabila’s criticisms, public reaction has been mixed, with some observers noting the hypocrisy in his allegations, as they echo critiques raised during his own time in office. He closed his remarks with a call to restore democracy and good governance throughout the nation.
As discussions for peace potentially increase between DRC and Rwanda, efforts are underway to end the ongoing turmoil that has displaced hundreds of thousands in recent months, following a preliminary accord announced last month in Washington, D.C.
Kabila, who served as president from 2001 until 2019, delivered his speech on YouTube, where he articulated fears that the unity of the nation was under threat. This public address comes after a long period of silence; he has refrained from official communications for six years. Analysts suggest that any legal proceedings against Kabila could exacerbate the already fragile situation in DRC, currently embroiled in conflict with the M23 forces since 2012.
In his address, Kabila outlined a 12-point plan aimed at resolving the long-standing insecurity afflicting eastern DRC, a region rich in mineral resources. He condemned recent governmental actions, including the ban on his political party, the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), and asset seizures, attributing these decisions to a decline in democratic governance.
Kabila criticized the current administration's economic policies, which he stated have led to soaring national debt exceeding $10 billion, and he took a hard stance against what he described as the government’s inept management of the country's security issues. He vocalized grievances regarding the reliance on various militias, claiming that the national army was compromised, degenerating into a collection of mercenary factions.
Addressing the context of the troubling security landscape, he referenced the historically rooted presence of armed groups, such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), linking the current turmoil to past conflicts, including the Rwandan Genocide of 1994.
Kabila called for the withdrawal of foreign troops, particularly those from Rwanda, which he sees as exacerbating the conflict. He welcomed a recent consensus by the Southern African Development Community to withdraw supportive troops, reinforcing his appeal for domestic peace initiatives, including those facilitated by the Catholic church.
Despite Kabila’s criticisms, public reaction has been mixed, with some observers noting the hypocrisy in his allegations, as they echo critiques raised during his own time in office. He closed his remarks with a call to restore democracy and good governance throughout the nation.
As discussions for peace potentially increase between DRC and Rwanda, efforts are underway to end the ongoing turmoil that has displaced hundreds of thousands in recent months, following a preliminary accord announced last month in Washington, D.C.
