Congo’s former president Kabila forms new group to replace M23 insurgency

Former Democratic Republic of Congo 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 supporting.

The new 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 seized vast territories in eastern Congo during an offensive last year. The former president, however, had previously denied involvement in the insurgency.

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

Kabila is an ally of Nangaa, a former head of the country’s electoral commission who oversaw the disputed 2018 election that brought Felix Tshisekedi to power and ended Kabila’s presidency.

Kabila travelled to rebel-held Goma in 2025, and several of his 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 have accused Rwanda of backing M23 and exercising command and control over the rebels. Rwanda has denied 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, describing the case as politically motivated.

Credit: Reuters