Former President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has officially allied with armed rebel groups, confirming accusations from the government in Kinshasa regarding his ties to armed rebels. On October 14, 2026, Kabila launched a new political-military coalition to replace the M23-AFC alliance, which is currently fighting government forces and controls significant territory in eastern DRC. Coalition spokesperson Claude Ibalanky stated that the new movement aims to "put an end to tyranny by any means necessary, including the use of force," which has raised concerns about potential threats to the government in Kinshasa.
This development comes one year after Kabila was sentenced to death by a military court for alleged connections to rebel groups. The M23 crisis has affected the mineral-rich eastern DRC for nearly 15 years, with the United Nations reporting that more than 7.8 million people are displaced and 28 million face food shortages. An unspecified number of casualties have occurred during this conflict.
The United States and the United Nations have accused Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim that Kigali has denied. Kabila introduced the new alliance, named the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN), from his residence in Goma, affirming the DRC government's accusations against him. Kabila stated that he will lead the alliance, with Corneille Nangaa serving as deputy, and Bertrand Bisimwa, an M23 spokesman, also in leadership roles.
Kabila, who is 55 years old and the son of former President Laurent Kabila, took office in 2001 at the age of 29 after his father's assassination. His presidency, which ended in 2016, was marked by allegations of rights violations and corruption. He delayed elections until 2018, citing voter registration issues, and left office in 2019. Prior to his departure, Kabila reportedly signed a power-sharing agreement with current President Felix Tshisekedi, but tensions arose leading to Kabila's allies being removed from the cabinet.
Kabila's recent actions are not unexpected, as Kinshasa has long alleged his connections to the M23-AFC alliance. Amid intensified offensives last year, Kabila criticized Tshisekedi's handling of the conflict in a published opinion piece and proposed a plan for peace. Reports indicated Kabila's presence in Goma, where he owns property.
In October 2025, a military court in Kinshasa sentenced Kabila to death on charges of treason and war crimes related to his alleged collaboration with Rwanda and M23-AFC. In April 2026, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Kabila for allegedly funding rebel groups.
The eastern DRC has experienced violence for over 30 years, with various groups vying for control. The crisis roots trace back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide and subsequent conflicts. The M23 movement emerged in 2012 from remnants of Congolese Tutsi fighter groups and claims to fight for the rights of minority Congolese Tutsis.
In 2022, M23 resurfaced with renewed strength, allegedly supported by over 4,000 Rwandan soldiers. The DRC government has accused Rwanda of backing M23, while Rwanda has accused the DRC of supporting Hutu armed groups.
As of early 2024, the AFC-M23 launched offensives that resulted in significant territorial gains. Goma fell to the AFC-M23 in January 2025, with heavy civilian casualties reported. The rebels currently control North and South Kivu, including key towns and border crossings.
Concerns have been raised about the potential escalation of conflict and the possibility of soldiers defecting to Kabila's side. Ongoing peace talks may also be at risk. In June 2025, the DRC and Rwanda signed a U.S.-led peace agreement, and a separate process mediated by Qatar resulted in the Doha Framework agreement.
Experts suggest that Kabila's actions may lead to a hardening of Kinshasa's stance towards the rebel movement and Kabila himself, potentially isolating him regionally. The implications for the conflict will depend on Kabila's ability to control the rebellion and expand alliances beyond North and South Kivu.