Congo’s Former President Kabila Forms New Rebel Coalition With M23 to Oust Government

Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has launched a new political-military coalition with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, taking a direct role in the insurgency he had previously denied backing. The new group, known as the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), was unveiled on Monday at a press conference at Kabila’s residence in Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been under M23 control since January 2025.

The FRN will be headed by Kabila, with rebel leaders Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Freddy Kaniki and Sultani Makenga serving as deputies. The coalition said it aims to “pool their strengths, resources and means” to “put an end to tyranny by any means, including force”. It replaces the Congo River Alliance (AFC), the political wing of the M23 that was dissolved to make way for the new structure.

The announcement is the clearest indication so far of Kabila’s direct involvement in an armed movement, a year after he was sentenced to death in absentia by a military court on charges of treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity over allegations that he supported the M23 rebellion. He has denied the accusations, saying the case was politically motivated.

Kabila, who ruled Congo from 2001 to 2019, had remained largely out of public view for years. He became increasingly critical of his successor, President Felix Tshisekedi, in recent months. 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. He also accused the government of undermining constitutional rule, mismanaging the economy and failing to improve security.

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Kabila is an ally of Corneille Nangaa, the former electoral commission chief who oversaw the contested 2018 vote that brought 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 the AFC/M23, deepening perceptions of an alliance between the former president and the insurgency.

The formation of the new coalition comes at an uncertain time in Congo. President Tshisekedi’s second term ends in 2028, but in May he said elections may not be held because of the conflict. He also hinted he may seek a third term “if the people want”. Parliament has since passed a bill that could pave the way for a referendum to remove the constitution’s two-term limit. Last month, authorities clashed with protesters in the capital demonstrating against the proposed changes.

Eastern Congo has been plagued by violence for over 30 years, with more than 100 militia groups active in the region amid ethnic tensions and fighting for political power and control of lucrative natural resources. The United Nations and Western governments accuse Rwanda of backing the M23 and exercising command and control over the rebels. Rwanda denies supporting the insurgency. A deal signed in December by Kinshasa and Kigali under US auspices has had no tangible effect on the ground, and a ceasefire committed to in July 2025 as part of a Qatari-mediated process is not being respected. The Congolese government has not commented on the formation of the FR

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