The High Military Court sentenced Kabila to death in absentia on September 30, 2025, after finding him guilty of treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and leading an unauthorised armed group.
The court stated that Kabila is the leader of the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, which it claims controls large parts of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, and that the alleged crimes were committed under his command in those regions.
Monsignor Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, President of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), speaking on behalf of the Catholic bishops on October 6, invoked scripture to remind the country's leadership that only God has the authority to end a human life.
'We were deeply alarmed by the decision of the High Military Court of Kinshasa following the rushed criminal trial of Joseph Kabila, a former president who has now been sentenced to death,' said Monsignor Muteba.
He argued that the case is politically motivated and urged the DRC government to address the country's crises through inclusive political dialogue.
'For our part, while our country is in the midst of war and insecurity, we continue to affirm that inclusive dialogue is the best path to resolve the root causes of these challenges and to restore unity, peace, coexistence, and the sovereignty of our nation,' he said.
He added that such dialogue is urgently needed given the seriousness of the situation and its impact on the Congolese people.
The Catholic Church emphasised that for a sustainable solution to the DRC's long-standing problems, political dialogue must involve all key actors, including those who have taken up arms and those who have not.
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