Former Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila has taken the lead of a new political and military coalition that includes leaders of the M23 rebel movement, announced in the eastern city of Goma.

The Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) was unveiled at a news conference on Monday 12 October, according to published reports. Coalition adviser Claude Ibalanky said its aim is "to put an end to tyranny by any means necessary, including the use of force."

The government of President Félix Tshisekedi had not responded when the announcement was reported. This story is developing.

What the coalition says it will do

Ibalanky said the signatories will pool forces and resources so that Congolese people, "acting in unison, will undertake the task of liberating their country."

Coalition member Moïse Nyarugabo, speaking of Tshisekedi, was quoted as saying: "If he wants peace, we are ready to grant it to him; if he chooses war, he will get that too."

Yvon Muya, a researcher at the University of Ottawa, said: "You don't make an announcement like this without having prepared the actions that follow." He expects an escalation on the military front.

Who is involved

Accounts of the line-up differ in detail, and we have not confirmed titles.

  • One account names Corneille Nangaa and Bertrand Bisimwa as vice-presidents, Sultani Makenga as chief of general staff, Freddy Kaniki as secretary-general and Benjamin Bonimpa as deputy secretary-general.
  • Another describes Nangaa and Makenga as deputies.
  • No report we found gives Kabila a formal title.

M23 has controlled Goma since January 2025, according to published reports. The DRC government, the United States and UN experts accuse Rwanda of backing M23. Rwanda denies this.

Background

Kabila led the DRC from 2001 to 2019, taking office after his father, Laurent Kabila, was assassinated. A military court sentenced him to death in absentia last year on charges including treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity. He denies the charges and calls the case politically motivated.

Reports say the United States sanctioned him earlier this year over his alleged role in funding rebel groups. A June report by UN experts had already flagged a possible restructuring of AFC/M23, including a new name and a leading role for Kabila.

Talks between the DRC government and M23 were expected in Qatar in November, and analysts quoted in reports warn the new coalition could undermine them. Tshisekedi's second term ends in 2028.

What we do not yet know

  • Kabila's formal role in the FRN.
  • Whether the FRN replaces AFC/M23 or operates alongside it.
  • How the Tshisekedi government, Rwanda and the Qatar mediators will respond.
  • Whether the November talks will go ahead.
  • Kabila has previously denied ties to M23 and Rwanda; we have not seen his own statement on the new front.