Former president Joseph Kabila named leader of new DR Congo rebel coalition

Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has been named leader of a new rebel coalition that says it seeks to remove President Félix Tshisekedi’s government.

The Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) said it would coordinate “resistance forces” to end what it called “tyranny”, including through force. The coalition was unveiled on Monday in Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo, which has been controlled by the M23 since February 2025.

Coalition adviser Claude Ibalanky announced its leadership at a press conference at Kabila’s residence. Video released by the group showed Kabila signing documents with other leaders.

Coalition leadership and M23 links

M23 commander Sultani Makenga will be one of Kabila’s four deputies. The other three deputies also come from the AFC-M23 alliance, which seized much of mineral-rich eastern DR Congo last year.

The formation of the FRN is the clearest indication yet of Kabila’s direct involvement in an armed movement. He had previously denied links to M23 and was sentenced to death in absentia for treason last year.

Kabila’s allegations against the government

Days before the coalition was announced, Kabila said he would explain how Congolese people should “rescue” their country. On Friday, he accused Tshisekedi’s government of ignoring proposals he made last year to help end the conflict in the east, undermining constitutional rule, mismanaging the economy and failing to improve security.

Kabila also alleged arbitrary arrests of political opponents and military officers. The government has not publicly responded to the claims.

Political background and analyst assessment

Kabila, 55, ruled DR Congo from 2001 until January 2019, when Tshisekedi took office after a disputed election. The two men later fell out after initially forming an informal power-sharing arrangement. Kabila lived in self-imposed exile from 2023 and returned to Goma last year.

Richard Moncrieff of the International Crisis Group said the coalition appeared intended to enlarge the rebellion beyond M23’s narrow political base and attract senior Congolese army officers. He said that could reduce M23’s reliance on backing from Rwanda.

The United States imposed sweeping sanctions on Kabila in May, accusing him of supporting M23, providing financial assistance and encouraging defections from the Congolese army. Kabila called the measures unjustified and politically motivated; Washington said they supported broader efforts to uphold a peace deal it brokered between DR Congo and Rwanda last year.

More than 100 armed groups operate in eastern DR Congo amid ethnic tensions and competition for political power and natural resources. The UN and Western governments accuse Rwanda of backing M23, while Kigali denies the allegation.

Tshisekedi’s second term ends in 2028. He has said elections due that year may not be held because of the conflict and has suggested he could seek a third term; parliament has passed a bill that could enable a referendum on removing the constitution’s two-term limit.