Former DR Congo President Joseph Kabila Named Head of New Rebel Coalition

Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has been designated as the leader of the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a newly formed rebel coalition aiming to dismantle the current government. The announcement marks a significant escalation in the political crisis, coming just a year after Kabila was convicted in absentia and sentenced to death for treason.

Claude Ibalanky, an adviser to the coalition, revealed Kabila’s leadership during a press conference held at the former president’s residence in Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo. The city has been under the control of the M23 rebel group since last year. Video footage released by the group shows Kabila signing official documents alongside other coalition leaders.

The FRN stated that its mission is to coordinate “resistance forces” to end what it describes as tyranny in the DRC, declaring its intent to achieve this goal by “all means, including force.” M23 leader Sultani Makenga will serve as one of Kabila’s four deputies, joined by three other figures from the AFC-M23 alliance that seized control of much of the mineral-rich eastern region.

This development follows a recent address by Kabila, in which he accused President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration of ignoring proposals made the previous year to resolve the conflict in the east. Kabila further alleged that the government is undermining constitutional rule, mismanaging the economy, failing to ensure security, and arbitrarily arresting political opponents and military officers. The government has not yet issued a public response to these claims or the formation of the new coalition.

Kabila, 55, served as president from 2001 until January 2019, when Tshisekedi assumed office following a contentious election. The two men were initially political allies, engaging in an informal power-sharing arrangement, but their relationship eventually deteriorated. Kabila went into self-imposed exile in 2023 before returning to Goma the following year, where he has increasingly criticized his successor’s governance.

The formation of the FRN occurs against a backdrop of prolonged instability in the DRC, where more than 100 militia groups operate amid ethnic tensions and struggles for control over natural resources. The United Nations and Western governments have accused Rwanda of backing the M23, a charge Kigali denies while maintaining its military presence is a defensive measure against Congolese armed groups.

Domestically, the political situation remains volatile. President Tshisekedi’s current term ends in 2028, though he suggested in May that elections might be postponed due to the ongoing conflict. He also indicated he might seek a third term if requested by the populace. Recently, parliament passed legislation that could facilitate a referendum to remove constitutional term limits, sparking clashes between authorities and protesters in the capital last month.