Joseph Kabila is a former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the son of Laurent Kabila, who was installed as leader of what became Congo in 1997 after Rwanda and Uganda toppled Mobutu Sese Seko. Mr Kabila was succeeded by Félix Tshisekedi.
In 2025 Mr Kabila reportedly arrived in Goma, the eastern Congolese city seized by M23, sparking speculation that he was plotting a political comeback. A military court later sentenced him in absentia to death for treason; his party has been banned. The Tshisekedi government accuses him of colluding with M23.
Nothing shortens a journey so pleasantly as an account of misfortunes at which the hearer is permitted to laugh.