Prosecutors want to remove Kabila’s prosecution immunity

The authorities in the DRC are seeking to lift former President Joseph Kabila's immunity from prosecution after accusing him of backing rebels in the east, reports BBC News. There was a ‘substantial body of documents, testimony and material facts’ linking Kabila to the M23 armed group, said Justice Minister Constant Mutamba. The M23 currently controls parts of the mineral-rich east of the country after making significant advances earlier this year. Kabila has not commented on the accusations but has in the past denied any connection with the insurgents. He led the DRC for 18 years, after succeeding his father Laurent, who was shot dead in 2001. Joseph Kabila was just 29 at the time. After stepping down, Kabila was given the title of ‘Senator for life’, which gives him legal immunity, but in order to pursue a legal case, the DRC military prosecutor has asked the Senate to overturn this. Kabila has been living in South Africa for the past two years. But there have been reports that the former President had returned and was in Goma, one of the cities captured by the M23. But these were denied by his political party, the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD). Last month, the authorities banned the PPRD because of its ‘ambiguous attitude’ to the occupation of Congolese territory by the M23.

Full BBC News report