Ex-DRC President Kabila’s alliance with M23 rebels: Why it matters
Kabila's move confirms numerous accusations from the government in Kinshasa of his ties to armed rebels.
Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has forged an alliance with the M23 rebel group to create a new political-military coalition called the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation. The coalition was unveiled at a press conference in Goma, with senior M23 members present to announce Kabila as its leader.
Kabila will be supported by four vice presidents, including former M23 political wing head Corneille Nangaa. The new group aims to combine their resources to combat what they claim is the oppressive rule of the Tshisekedi administration, resorting to force if necessary. The formation of this coalition comes as political tensions rise in the DRC over plans to amend the constitution, potentially extending President Tshisekedi's rule beyond his final term in 2028.
The DRC government has accused Kabila of supporting the M23 rebels. In 2025, a military court sentenced Kabila in absentia to death for alleged links to the M23 rebels, a charge he denies, calling the sanctions and ruling politically motivated. The US, Qatar, and the African Union are currently working to broker peace between the conflicting parties in eastern DRC, where fighting continues.
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