The short version
- Former President Joseph Kabila has been named leader of a new rebel coalition aimed at ousting the current government through force if necessary.
- The alliance includes M23 rebels who control eastern territories, marking a shift toward broader political mobilization beyond traditional militia support.
- The development occurs as the sitting president faces pressure over proposed term-limit removals and delayed elections amid ongoing regional instability.
A former head of state in the Democratic Republic of Congo has taken a direct role in leading an armed opposition movement, signaling a significant escalation in the country’s prolonged political and military crisis. Joseph Kabila, who served as president from 2001 until early 2019, was named the leader of the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) on Monday. The new coalition declared its intention to coordinate resistance forces with the goal of ending what it describes as tyranny in the nation. Leaders stated they would pursue this objective by all means available, including the use of force.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at Kabila’s residence in Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo. The region has been under the control of the M23 rebel group since February 2025. Claude Ibalanky, an adviser to the coalition, presented the leadership structure during the event. Video footage released by the group showed Kabila signing official documents alongside other key figures. This public appearance marks the clearest indication yet of his direct involvement in an armed campaign, occurring roughly a year after he was sentenced to death in absentia for treason charges brought by the current administration.
The organizational structure of the FRN places M23 leader Sultani Makenga as one of Kabila’s four deputies. The remaining three deputy positions are also held by individuals from the AFC-M23 alliance, which seized significant portions of mineral-rich eastern territory last year. This configuration suggests a strategic effort to merge military capability with political legitimacy. Analysts note that Kabila appears to be leveraging his historical status to broaden the appeal of the rebellion beyond the narrow base typically associated with M23 operations.
Kabila’s return to prominence follows years of self-imposed exile and relative silence. He previously denied any links to the M23 group, despite accusations from Western governments and United Nations bodies that Rwanda supports the rebels. The United States imposed sweeping sanctions on Kabila in May, citing his alleged provision of financial support to the M23 and encouragement of defections within the Congolese army. Washington described these measures as part of a broader effort to uphold a peace agreement brokered between DR Congo and Rwanda last year. Kabila has dismissed the sanctions as politically motivated and unjustified.
In recent weeks, Kabila has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration. He accused the government of disregarding proposals aimed at resolving the conflict in the east, undermining constitutional norms, and mismanaging the economy. Additional allegations included arbitrary arrests of political opponents and military officers. The current government has not issued a public response to these specific claims. The two leaders were once allies, having formed an informal power-sharing arrangement after the disputed election that brought Tshisekedi to office in 2019.
The formation of this new coalition arrives at a precarious moment for the nation’s political future. President Tshisekedi’s second term is scheduled to end in 2028, but he has suggested that elections may not be held on time due to the ongoing conflict. He also hinted at the possibility of seeking re-election for a third term if public sentiment supports it. In response, parliament passed legislation that could facilitate a referendum to remove the constitutional two-term limit. This move sparked clashes between authorities and protesters in the capital earlier this month.
Richard Moncrieff, an analyst monitoring Africa’s Great Lakes region for the International Crisis Group, argues that Kabila’s strategy is designed to enlarge the rebellion’s reach. By adopting a higher profile, Kabila hopes to attract support from citizens dissatisfied with Tshisekedi’s governance and to draw senior army officers to his side. Moncrieff suggests this approach aims to reduce the M23’s reliance on Rwandan backing. However, he notes that replicating the military success of Kabila’s father, who led a rebellion in the 1990s, will be difficult given current international dynamics and US sanctions.
The broader context remains volatile, with more than 100 militia groups active in eastern DR Congo. These factions are driven by ethnic tensions, competition for political power, and control over lucrative natural resources. The United Nations and Western governments continue to accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, a claim Rwanda denies, stating its military presence is defensive against threats from Congolese armed groups. With peace negotiations appearing stalled, analysts warn that all parties are prioritizing ground control over diplomatic solutions, raising the risk of further destabilization in the region.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC World↗Ex-president named leader of new DR Congo rebel coalition
