In brief
Joseph Kabila, who ruled the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2001 to 2019, has unexpectedly emerged as the head of a nascent rebel coalition, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN). The FRN claims to unite various armed groups to overthrow what it calls the tyrannical government, explicitly stating it will use “all means, including force.” Kabila’s announcement comes a year after his death‑sentence in absentia for treason, marking a dramatic shift from his long period of political silence. The coalition’s press conference took place at Kabila’s residence in Goma, a city that remains under M23 rebel control. Amid ongoing ethnic violence and battles over mineral-rich territories in eastern Congo, the new alliance raises fresh concerns about regional security and the prospects for democratic stability.
Joseph Kabila, the former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has taken the helm of a newly formed rebel coalition aimed at overthrowing the current government.
“The Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) seeks to coordinate resistance forces to end tyranny in the Democratic Republic of Congo and will pursue this goal by all means, including force,” the group released, signalling an escalation in the country’s already volatile security environment.
“We have seen how the government has failed to implement our proposals from last year, neglected constitutional law, mismanaged the economy, and compromised security,” Kabila said during an address preceding the coalition’s unveiling, adding accusations of arbitrary arrests and political repression.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at Kabila’s residence in Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo which has remained under M23 rebel control since 2023. The coalition’s leadership includes former M23 commanders, with Sultani Makenga named as one of Kabila’s four deputies.
Kabila had been largely absent from politics after leaving office in 2019, but his recent critique of President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration marks a bold comeback in a country still marred by more than 100 active militia groups, ethnic tensions, and disputes over natural resources.
The move arrives at a time when Tshisekedi’s second term will end in 2028, with elections slated for that year but muddyed by conflict; the president has hinted at a potential third term if the public demands it, prompting parliament to pass legislation that could remove the two‑term limit.
The political landscape remains uncertain as the new FRN vows to confront the government; regional powers and international actors will likely monitor the unfolding tensions closely.
<img src='https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/819/cpsprodpb/88a7/live/427486f0-c6d6-11f1-a5d8-e9a78c0fd632.jpg' alt='Joseph Kabila in a dark suit at his residence in Goma' style='width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:4px;'>
<a href='https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-85242520' style='color:#0066cc; text-decoration:none;'>Read the full story on BBC News</a>.
