Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has publicly aligned himself with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, announcing the formation of a new political and military coalition aimed at removing President Felix Tshisekedi's government.
The coalition, named the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), was unveiled on Monday at a press conference held at Kabila's residence in Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been under M23 control since January 2025.
Coalition adviser Claude Ibalanky announced the group's leadership at the event. Video released by the group showed Kabila signing documents alongside other leaders.
The FRN said it aimed to unite all "resistance forces" to end "tyranny" in the DRC and would pursue that goal "by all means, including force."
Kabila will head the coalition. M23 leader Sultani Makenga and Corneille Nangaa, former leader of the Congo River Alliance, the political wing of M23, are among his four deputies. The other members of the leadership also come from the AFC-M23 alliance, which last year seized much of mineral-rich eastern DRC.
The announcement is the clearest indication yet of Kabila's direct involvement in an armed movement. He had previously denied having links to M23.
A DRC military court sentenced Kabila to death in absentia last year on charges of treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity, finding that he had collaborated with Rwanda and M23. Kabila has called the case politically motivated and denies the charges.
The United States imposed sanctions on him earlier this year over his alleged alleged role in funding rebel groups.
The move comes days after Kabila delivered a public address in which he said he would outline how Congolese people should act to "rescue" their country. On Friday, he accused Tshisekedi's government of disregarding proposals he had put forward last year, including some aimed at ending the conflict in eastern DRC. He also accused the government of undermining constitutional rule, mismanaging the economy, failing to improve security, and carrying out arbitrary arrests of political opponents and military officers.
The Congolese government has not publicly responded to those claims or to Monday's announcement.
Kabila, 55, ruled the DRC from 2001 until January 2019, when Tshisekedi took office following a disputed election. He took power at the age of 29 after his father, President Laurent Kabila, was assassinated. The two men were once political allies, forming an informal power-sharing arrangement after the transfer of power. They later fell out, and Kabila went into self-imposed exile in 2023 before returning to Goma last year.
Analysts warn the new coalition could escalate the conflict. Yvon Muya, a researcher at the University of Ottawa, said the announcement increases the chances of a direct confrontation between Kabila and Tshisekedi. "You don't make an announcement like this without having prepared the actions that follow," Muya said. "We will likely witness an escalation on the military front."
A reporter in Goma noted that rebels already hold the city, Bukavu, key airports and major border crossings with Rwanda and Uganda, and that the government has so far been unable to push them back. He also raised concerns that government troops could defect to Kabila's side. "He's still a soldier; he has led an army. People are worried that more soldiers from the government may join him as well," the reporter said.
Representatives from the DRC government and M23 were expected to meet in Qatar in November for talks. Analysts warn the formation of the FRN could undermine that process.
The announcement comes at a volatile moment for the country. More than 100 militia groups are active in eastern DRC amid ethnic tensions and competition for control of lucrative natural resources. The UN and Western governments accuse Rwanda of backing M23 and controlling the rebels. Rwanda denies supporting M23 and says its military presence in eastern DRC is a defensive measure against threats posed by Congolese armed groups.
Tshisekedi's second term ends in 2028. He has hinted he may seek a third term "if the people want." Parliament has since passed a bill that could pave the way for a referendum to remove the constitution's two-term limit. Last month, authorities clashed with protesters in the capital demonstrating against the proposed changes.
