In brief
In a dramatic move, former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has announced he will lead the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a coalition that plans to end the current government through armed struggle. The press conference at Kabila’s Goma residence named M23 commander Sultani Makenga as a deputy. Kabila, sentenced to death in absentia for treason last year, now frames the FRN as coordinated resistance against tyranny. The escalation threatens already fractured eastern Congo, where over 100 militia groups vie for control of mineral wealth. Analysts warn further conflict could spill into neighbouring countries.
Ex‑President Kabila Heavily Impacts DRC Conflict
Former Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila announced on Monday that he will lead a newly formed rebel coalition called the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN).
The FRN was unveiled at a press conference held at Kabila’s residence in the eastern city of Goma, a hub that has long been under the control of the M23 rebel group. During the event, Kabila named M23 commander Sultani Makenga as one of his four deputies. M23 and the AFC had seized a large swathe of the mineral‑rich eastern province last year.
Kabila – who was sentenced to death in absentia for treason a year after leaving office – now portrays the FRN as a “resistance force” that will use “all means, including force,” to eliminate what he labels tyranny from the DRC. “The people must act to rescue the country,” he told reporters, accusing President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration of ignoring his proposals, undermining constitutional rule and mismanaging the economy.
The announcement comes amid a volatile backdrop: more than a hundred armed militias contest control of eastern Congo, and the region remains a flashpoint for ethnic conflict and the exploitation of minerals such as coltan and cobalt. Tshisekedi’s second presidential term ends in 2028, and he has hinted that he may seek a third term if circumstances allow.
Security observers warn that the FRN’s deliberate use of armed struggle could spark a wider war, potentially spilling over into neighboring nations. The government has so far not issued a public statement in response.
