**DR Congo Senate Revokes Immunity from Former President Amid Treason Allegations**

This pivotal moment may shape the future of Congo's political landscape and security situation.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Senate has made a significant ruling by stripping former President Joseph Kabila of his legal immunity, facilitating his prosecution regarding alleged support for rebel activities in the eastern region of the country. Kabila, who governed from 2001 to 2019, faces accusations of treason and war crimes linked to the M23 insurgent group, which has seized control of various towns in the mineral-rich eastern territories.

On Thursday, nearly 90 senators voted in favor of proceeding with his prosecution, while only five opposed it. Senate Speaker Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde announced the decision, stating, "The senate authorizes the prosecution and lifting of Joseph Kabila's immunity." Notably, Kabila did not appear in Senate to contest the charges against him.

Previously appointed a "senator for life" after his presidency, Kabila has been residing in South Africa for the past two years. However, he expressed intentions to return to DR Congo to contribute to resolving the ongoing conflicts in the east. While there were unconfirmed reports of his presence in Goma, Kabila's political party, the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), denied these claims.

In light of the accusations, Justice Minister Mutamba has ordered the seizure of Kabila's assets and urged him to come back to DR Congo to confront the charges and present his defense. As tensions rise, analysts caution that a trial could exacerbate the already fragile state of the country, which has been battling the M23 forces since 2012. Kabila’s party labeled the decision to prosecute him as "pure theatre," alleging it is a ploy to divert public attention from significant national issues facing the Congolese populace.