Joseph Kabila joins new political-military alliance with M23 in DR Congo

Former President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, has taken a significant step by leading a new political-military formation called the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation. This alliance prominently includes the anti-governmental group AFC/M23, which is reportedly backed by Rwanda. The announcement was made on Monday evening, marking Kabila's formal alignment with the group that holds sway over parts of eastern DR Congo.

Kabila, who governed the country from 2001 to 2019, was sentenced to death in absentia for treason in September 2025. Despite this, his recent political move has added a new layer of complexity to the DR Congo's political landscape. This development comes at a time when the country is navigating political uncertainty with President Félix Tshisekedi's term approaching its constitutional limit.

President Tshisekedi, who succeeded Kabila, is nearing the end of his second and final term set to conclude in 2028, according to the current constitutional term limit of two five-year terms. However, the political scene is rife with speculation about possible constitutional amendments that could enable Tshisekedi to pursue a third term. This situation has already sparked substantial debate and unrest within the nation.

Protests organized by opposition factions have occurred in various cities including the capital, Kinshasa, with rallies in June and September marked by confrontations with security forces. Reports indicate at least one fatality in Kinshasa during a protest, with allegations of an opponent's assassination following a subsequent demonstration.

The M23 group, initially formed to advocate for the rights of Congolese Tutsis, has had a fractious history with the Congolese government. It seized significant territory in North Kivu in 2012 but was defeated by Congolese and UN forces the following year. In recent times, it has regained strength and territorial control, leading to renewed tension in the region.

The alliance with Kabila confirms his ongoing influence and complex relationship with internal and external political entities. Rwanda's involvement, primarily through support for M23, adds another layer of international dimensions to the alliance. The Rwandan government has occasionally been at odds with DR Congo over mutual allegations of espionage and support for hostile groups across their shared border.

This development is poised to influence the already tumultuous atmospheres around upcoming electoral processes and potential constitutional revisions in DR Congo. Meanwhile, regional and international stakeholders are closely monitoring the evolving dynamics, mindful of past conflicts that have had widespread humanitarian ramifications in the Great Lakes region.

Source: france24.com