Ex-President Kabila launches new rebel military coalition to oust regime

Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has launched a new political-military coalition to replace the AFC-M23 alliance fighting government forces in ​eastern Congo, taking a more direct role in an ‌insurgency he had previously stopped short of openly backing.

The new 'politico-military' group known as the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN) will be headed by Kabila, ​with rebel leaders Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Freddy Kaniki and ​Sultani Makenga serving as deputies, the group's adviser Claude Ibalanky ⁠announced at a press conference.

Congolese authorities have for months accused ​Kabila of supporting AFC/M23, which captured vast territories in eastern Congo during ​an offensive last year, but the former president had denied involvement.

In a speech on Friday, Kabila accused the government of corruption, poor governance and military setbacks ​in eastern Congo, and criticised its minerals deal with the United ​States.

Kabila is an ally of Nangaa, the former electoral commission chief who oversaw the ‌contested ⁠2018 vote that ushered Felix Tshisekedi into office and ended Kabila's presidency.

Kabila travelled to rebel-held Goma in 2025, and several former allies have since taken positions within AFC/M23, deepening perceptions of an alliance between ​the former president ​and the insurgency.

The ⁠United Nations and Western governments accuse Rwanda of backing M23 and exercising command and control over the ​rebels. Rwanda denies supporting the insurgency.

Kabila was sentenced to ​death in ⁠absentia by a military court after being convicted of treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity over allegations that he supported the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 ⁠rebellion ​in eastern Congo. 

He has denied the ​accusations and said the case was politically motivated.

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