Democratic Republic of Congo: Joseph Kabila takes the lead of the rebels - Politics - SZ.de

Joseph Kabila, former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has taken leadership of a rebel coalition known as the Front for the Rebirth of the Nation (FRN). This move positions him directly against the current government led by President Félix Tshisekedi. The FRN replaces the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which had been allied with the M23 militia. High-ranking members from both movements, including former AFC leader Corneille Nangaa, political M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa, and M23 military chief Sultani Makenga, are part of the new alliance’s leadership. The FRN aims to end what it calls "tyranny" in the DRC, using all means necessary, including armed force. Adolph Amisi Makutano, a member of the ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party, criticized Kabila's role in forming the FRN, calling it a disgrace for the DRC. Kabila was absent during a military trial in September 2025 that sentenced him in his absence to death for treason, war crimes, and other offenses related to the conflict in eastern DRC. He has denied these charges, describing the proceedings as politically motivated. After years in exile, he recently returned to Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, currently controlled by the M23. Eastern DRC has long been plagued by conflicts involving multiple armed groups vying for control over the region’s resources and power. These tensions have roots in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, which triggered regional instability. The M23 movement emerged from a peace agreement signed on March 23, 2009, after the group claimed the DRC government failed to integrate its fighters and protect the Tutsi minority. In 2025, the M23 captured major cities such as Goma and Bukavu, weakening the central government’s grip on the region and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Kabila’s leadership of the FRN raises questions about whether he seeks to consolidate opposition to Tshisekedi or strengthen the political leadership of the rebellion. Alex Vines, director of the Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, noted that Kabila’s actions indicate continued political ambitions. “It shows he is ready to challenge Tshisekedi,” Vines stated.