Ex-DR Congo President Kabila Forms New Coalition with M23 Rebels

Former Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila has announced the formation of a new political and military coalition, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN). This new group notably includes the M23 armed group, which has seized significant territory in eastern DR Congo.

Kabila unveiled the FRN at a press conference held on Monday at his residence in Goma, a city under M23 control since January 2025. He stated that he would lead the FRN, with rebel leaders such as Corneille Nangaa, the former head of the Congo River Alliance (AFC) and the political wing of M23, serving as his deputies.

According to Claude Ibalanky, a coalition adviser, the group's objective is to unite all resistance forces to 'put an end to tyranny, by any means necessary including the use of force'. The DRC government has not yet issued an immediate response to this development.

Yvon Muya, a researcher at the University of Ottawa, suggested that this announcement heightens the likelihood of a direct confrontation between Kabila and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, potentially escalating conflict in eastern DRC. Muya commented, "You don’t make an announcement like this without having prepared the actions that follow. We will likely witness an escalation on the military front."

Analysts express concern that the formation of this new coalition could jeopardize upcoming talks between representatives of the DRC government and the M23 movement, which were scheduled to take place in Qatar in November.

Joseph Kabila governed DR Congo from 2001 to 2019, assuming the presidency at the age of 29 following the assassination of his father, President Laurent Kabila.

Last year, a DRC military court sentenced Joseph Kabila to death in absentia, citing charges of treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, with findings that he collaborated with Rwanda and M23. Kabila has dismissed these charges as politically motivated.

Earlier this year, the US imposed sanctions on Kabila for his alleged involvement in funding rebel groups. The US, UN experts, and the DRC government accuse Rwanda of supporting M23, an accusation that Rwanda denies.

As rebel activities intensify in the east, Tshisekedi's second term, set to conclude in 2028, sees his allies preparing public discourse for potential constitutional changes regarding the two-term limit.