Jean-Marc Kabund, a former vice president of parliament in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a one-time ally of President Felix Tshisekedi, has been sentenced to prison for allegedly insulting the incumbent president. Kabund, who launched his own political party after a falling out with Tshisekedi, has been in detention in Kinshasa's main prison since his arrest in August 2022. He was accused of referring to Tshisekedi as a "danger" and criticizing his government in a speech.

The Court of Cassation, one of Congo's highest courts, reportedly found Kabund guilty on 12 charges, including spreading false information and insulting the head of state. He has been sentenced to seven years in prison with no possibility of appeal.

Kabund had announced his intention to run for president as the leader of the "Alliance for Change" party in the upcoming general election in Congo. Following the court ruling, Tina Salama, a spokesperson for President Tshisekedi, stated that the presidency is not involved in the court's decisions and cannot comment on the case.

Kabund's lawyer, Kadi Diko, revealed that he received four months' imprisonment for each of the first nine charges and 16 months for the last three, with the most serious offenses being spreading false information and showing contempt for the head of state and parliament. This decision was deemed harsh, especially as there is no avenue for appeal.

Although Kabund was not present for the verdict, during a previous hearing, he defended his remarks, expressing concern about the country's well-being under Tshisekedi's leadership and urging the people to work toward his exclusion from the next elections.

Congo is set to hold a general election on December 20, 2023, in which President Tshisekedi is expected to seek a second term. Tensions have been mounting in the lead-up to the election, with incidents such as the shooting of an opposition spokesman in Kinshasa in July and violent protests by opposition parties decrying irregularities in voter registration.