Sultani Makenga

Stories

Eastern Congo's cycle of rebel seizure, atrocity, and fragile peace talks

Commanding M23 forces; narrowly survived a DRC drone strike on February 24, 2026

Congolese authorities have now opened three mass graves in Uvira and counted more than 344 bodies, up from the 171 reported in two sites in February. A military prosecutor has identified about 110 grave sites across the Uvira area, most still unopened.

Updated Yesterday

Kabila takes helm of new coalition with M23 rebels in DR Congo

Force in Play

Retained chief of staff of M23's army; named one of Kabila's four FRN deputies

Joseph Kabila, who led the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 2001 to 2019, heads a political-military coalition that includes the M23 rebel group. The Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) was launched in Goma, the eastern city M23 has controlled since January 2025. Kabila is the FRN's president, and M23's Bertrand Bisimwa and former AFC leader Corneille Nangaa are vice presidents.

Updated Oct 26