GOMA, Congo — Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila on Monday announced the formation of a new political and military coalition opposing the current government, bringing together various groups including the M23 rebel faction that has seized significant territory in eastern Democratic Congo.
The newly established Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) incorporates rebel factions previously affiliated with the Congo River Alliance, with former alliance leader Corneille Nangaa appointed as one of the coalition’s four vice presidents.
Coalition spokesperson Claude Ibalanky disclosed details of the initiative during a press briefing at Kabila’s residence in Goma, stating that the FRN seeks to restore essential institutions of governance. According to Ibalanky, the coalition’s objective is to “unite and coordinate all resistance forces in order to put an end to tyranny — by any means necessary, including the use of force.”
“The signatories have agreed to combine their capabilities, resources, and strategies to establish a unified framework through which the entire Congolese population can work together to liberate the nation,” Ibalanky stated.
The administration of President Félix Tshisekedi did not issue an immediate response to the announcement, which analysts view as a significant threat to Tshisekedi’s rule and a major obstacle to ongoing peace efforts with rebel groups that have shown limited progress.
M23 represents one of approximately 100 armed factions competing for influence in mineral-rich eastern Democratic Congo near the Rwandan border, an area plagued by prolonged conflict resulting in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. The group seized control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, along with several other strategic locations in a rapid offensive last year.
The governments of the United States, Democratic Congo, and United Nations investigators have accused Rwanda of supporting M23 operations.
In the previous year, a Congolese military tribunal sentenced Kabila to death in absentia after convicting him of treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, citing his alleged collaboration with Rwanda and M23. Kabila has consistently denied these charges, dismissing the trial as politically driven.
This year, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Kabila for his suspected involvement in financing and politically backing rebel movements operating within eastern Democratic Congo.
Kabila governed the country from 2001 until 2019, assuming leadership at age 29 following the assassination of his father, former President Laurent Kabila. His tenure was marked by extending his mandate by two years beyond the expiration of his term in 2017 through delayed elections. His chosen successor was defeated in the December 2018 presidential election by Tshisekedi, Kabila’s longtime political opponent, who has governed since 2019.
Yvon Muya, a researcher at Canada’s University of Ottawa, interpreted the announcement on Monday as signaling an impending direct confrontation between Kabila and Tshisekedi.
“Making such an announcement requires careful preparation and strategic planning,” Muya observed. “It is probable that we will see an escalation in military activities.”
Under U.S. diplomatic pressure, the Congolese government and AFC/M23 rebels initiated formal negotiations in Doha aimed at resolving the security crisis. However, despite over a year of talks, hostilities persist in eastern regions, and analysts suggest that Kabila’s new leadership role may complicate the already struggling peace process.
“With the AFC/M23 leaders now integrated into this new political structure, it becomes difficult to envision how the Doha negotiations will proceed effectively,” Muya commented to The Associated Press. “This development poses serious risks to the continuity of the ongoing diplomatic effort.”
