Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has been appointed the leader of a new rebel coalition, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), which aims to remove the current government. The FRN stated its intention to coordinate "resistance forces" to end "tyranny" in the Democratic Republic of Congo and indicated it would employ "all means, including force" to achieve its goals.
This announcement on Monday marks the clearest indication of Kabila's direct involvement in an armed movement since his conviction in absentia for treason a year ago. Previously, he had denied any association with the M23 rebel group.
The coalition was unveiled during a press conference held at Kabila's residence in Goma, a major city in eastern DR Congo that has been under M23 control since last year. Sultani Makenga, a leader within the M23, will serve as one of Kabila's four deputies in the new organization. The other three deputies also originate from the AFC-M23 alliance, which took control of significant portions of eastern DR Congo last year.
Kabila's address follows recent statements where he outlined how Congolese citizens should act to "rescue" their nation. On Friday, he accused President Félix Tshisekedi's administration of ignoring proposals he put forth last year, including those intended to resolve the conflict in eastern DR Congo. Kabila also alleged that the government has undermined constitutional governance, mismanaged the economy, and failed to improve national security, further claiming arbitrary arrests of political adversaries and military officials.
Kabila, 55, governed the DR Congo from 2001 until January 2019, when Tshisekedi assumed office after a contested election. He has largely remained out of public view for several years but has become increasingly critical of his successor's tenure.
The formation of the FRN occurs amidst a period of instability in the DR Congo, a nation plagued by decades of conflict. Over 100 militia groups are active in the eastern regions, fueled by ethnic tensions and competition for political influence and control over valuable natural resources.
President Tshisekedi's second term is scheduled to conclude in 2028. However, in May, he suggested that the elections due that year might not proceed because of the ongoing conflict. He also alluded to the possibility of seeking a third term if the populace desired.
Subsequently, the parliament passed legislation that could potentially enable a referendum to remove the constitution's two-term limit. Last month, authorities engaged with protesters in the capital who were demonstrating against these proposed constitutional changes. The Congolese government has not yet issued a public response to Kabila's recent claims.