The Catholic bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have voiced their opposition to a military court’s decision to impose the death penalty on former President joseph Kabila.
“The death penalty is not compatible with the Gospel and does not promote national cohesion,” the bishops said. They said that they were “shocked” and “horrified” by the sentence, adding that it would not promote peace and reconciliation in the war-torn country.
Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019, left the country in 2023 but has been spotted recently in the eastern province of Kivu, which is under the control of rebel groups. He was convicted of treason in absentia by a military court.