Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has been appointed leader of a new armed opposition group, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), which aims to overthrow the current government. The announcement marks the most significant evidence yet of Kabila’s direct participation in a military movement, occurring roughly one year after he was sentenced to death in absentia for treason.
The coalition declared it would mobilize “resistance forces” to end what it describes as tyranny within the DRC, stating it would pursue this objective “by all means, including force.” This development comes despite previous denials from Kabila regarding any ties to the M23 rebel group, which has controlled much of eastern Congo for over a year.
Claude Ibalanky, an adviser to the new coalition, revealed the leadership structure during a press conference held at Kabila’s residence in Goma, the region’s largest city. Video footage released by the group shows Kabila signing official documents alongside other leaders. M23 commander Sultani Makenga has been designated as one of four deputies under Kabila, with the remaining three also drawn from the AFC-M23 alliance.
The Congolese authorities have not yet issued a public response to the formation of the FRN. However, days prior to the announcement, Kabila delivered a speech accusing President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration of ignoring proposals made last year aimed at resolving the conflict in the east. He further alleged that the government is undermining constitutional governance, mismanaging the economy, failing to ensure security, and arbitrarily arresting political opponents and military personnel.
Kabila, 55, served as president from 2001 until January 2019, when Tshisekedi assumed office following a contested election. The two former allies initially maintained an informal power-sharing arrangement but eventually fell out. Kabila went into self-imposed exile in 2023 before returning to Goma the following year, where he has increasingly criticized his successor’s tenure.
The emergence of this coalition occurs amid prolonged instability in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, where more than 100 militia groups are active due to ethnic tensions and competition for natural resources. The United Nations and Western nations have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, a claim Kigali denies, asserting its military presence is defensive against threats from Congolese armed factions.
Political uncertainty looms over the country as Tshisekedi’s current term concludes in 2028. In May, he suggested that elections might be postponed due to the ongoing conflict and hinted at seeking a third term if requested by citizens. Recently, parliament approved legislation that could enable a referendum to abolish the two-term presidential limit, sparking protests in the capital last month.
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