A military tribunal in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday sentenced former president Joseph Kabila to death in absentia after convicting him of multiple offences, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Lieutenant-General Joseph Mutombo Katalayi, who presided over the court in Kinshasa, said Kabila was found guilty of treason, murder, sexual assault, torture, and insurrection.

Kabila, who ruled the country for nearly two decades, has faced growing legal and political pressure since leaving office. He stepped down in 2019 following widespread and deadly protests against his prolonged stay in power.

The former president has mostly resided in South Africa since late 2023 but made a rare appearance in May this year in Goma, the rebel-held capital of North Kivu province in eastern Congo.