March 30th, 2026 - After 18 Years in Power, Congo’s Former Leader Now Lives as a Wanted Man

Joseph Kabila, the former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is now living under heavy protection in territory controlled by a rebel group, a dramatic fall for a man who once ruled the country for nearly two decades. After a bitter split with his successor, Félix Tshisekedi, Kabila was convicted of treason in absentia and sentenced to death, accused of backing the M23 militia that now controls parts of eastern Congo.

In a rare interview, Kabila denied any involvement with the rebels, claiming he is simply living in the region because it is his home. He dismissed accusations from the government as politically motivated and rejected the idea that he is orchestrating instability behind the scenes. At the same time, he openly criticized the current leadership, calling government institutions illegitimate.

Kabila’s legacy remains deeply controversial. He came to power in 2001 after the assassination of his father and was once seen as a stabilizing figure, overseeing elections and a transfer of power in 2019. However, that transition was marred by widespread allegations of election manipulation and secret political deals that reshaped Congo’s leadership.

During the interview, Kabila hinted at his role in shaping the 2018 election outcome, suggesting decisions were made to maintain stability rather than strictly follow democratic results. Years later, he acknowledged that those choices may have been mistakes, admitting that leadership decisions should not be treated as political games.

Despite his immense wealth and long time in power, Kabila portrayed himself as a modest figure, even describing himself as “a farmer.” He denied accusations of corruption, even as investigations have pointed to widespread enrichment by his inner circle during his presidency.

Now, with Congo still facing violence, political instability, and armed conflict, questions remain about Kabila’s future role. While he avoided directly stating whether he plans to return to power, he suggested that the country needs strong leadership and described himself as one of its most committed patriots.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Oblivion (noun, uh-BLIV-ee-un) - Oblivion can refer to the state of something that is not remembered or thought about any more, or to the state of being unconscious or unaware. It also sometimes refers to the state of being destroyed.

Example: After so many days of exhaustingly difficult work, he longed for the oblivion of sleep.

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