Former DR Congo president Kabila joins M23 in a new coalition

Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila on Monday launched a new political-military coalition that includes the M23 rebel group, taking a more direct role in the insurgency in the country’s volatile east.

The new 'politico-military' group known as the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN) will be headed by Kabila, ​with rebel leaders Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Freddy Kaniki and ​Sultani Makenga serving as deputies, the group's adviser Claude Ibalanky ⁠announced at a press conference.

The DRC government had not immediately commented on the announcement.

Kabila led the country from 2001 to 2019, taking office at the age of 29 after his father, President Laurent Kabila, was assassinated.

In September 2025, a military court sentenced Kabila to death in absentia after convicting him of treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity over alleged support for the M23-linked insurgency. Kabila has denied wrongdoing and described the case as politically motivated.

The US imposed sanctions on Kabila in April 2026 over his alleged support for M23 and the Congo River Alliance (AFC), the group’s political-military coalition.

The DR Congo, the US and UN experts accuse Rwanda of backing M23, an allegation which Rwanda denies.

（With input from wires)