Ex-DR Congo President Joseph Kabila Launches New Coalition With M23 Rebels to Challenge Tshisekedi’s Government
Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has launched a new political-military coalition, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), bringing together key figures linked to the M23 rebel movement in a bid to challenge President Félix Tshisekedi’s government.
The coalition was unveiled in Goma on Monday, October 12, 2026, with rebel-linked leaders Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Freddy Kaniki and Sultani Makenga taking up senior positions. The group says it intends to unite opposition forces to reshape the country’s leadership, stating that it is prepared to use force.
The move comes as fighting continues in eastern DR Congo, where M23 has seized significant territory, raising fresh concerns about regional stability and the future of ongoing peace negotiations. Kabila, who ruled the country from 2001 to 2019, has previously denied allegations of supporting the rebels and has described legal proceedings against him as politically motivated. #DRC
