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.
Kinshasa has answered with a crackdown. It banned Kabila's party and 12 others, and spokesman Patrick Muyaya says Kabila is planning a 'general attack.' On October 25, President Félix Tshisekedi accused Kabila of treason, denounced Rwandan interference and called for national unity. Belgium's foreign minister condemned the alliance on October 21, and African Union mediators visited Kinshasa in early October. Analysts expect a new round of Doha talks to be delayed.
Why it matters
A former president joining an armed rebellion raises the prospect of a direct fight for control of DR Congo's government.
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Key Indicators
4
Deputy leaders in FRN
Nangaa, Bisimwa, Kaniki and Makenga serve as Kabila's deputies.
7
Years since Kabila left power
Kabila led DR Congo from 2001 to 2019.
Death sentence
Kabila's legal status in DRC
A military court sentenced him to death in absentia in 2025 for treason.
13
Parties banned by Kinshasa
Kabila's PPRD plus 12 allied parties were banned nationwide in mid-October.
20 events
Latest: October 25th, 2026 · 2 weeks ago
Showing 8 of 20
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October 2026
Tshisekedi accuses Kabila of treason
LatestPolitical
Tshisekedi accused Kabila of treason, denounced Rwandan interference and called for national unity against the rebel advance.
Belgium condemns Kabila-M23 alliance
Diplomatic
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot condemned the alliance, calling it 'deeply worrying.' The Belgian Foreign Ministry said it sees no fundamental change on the ground yet.
Kinshasa bans Kabila's party and 12 others
Political
Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani ordered a nationwide ban on Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) and 12 other parties, including one led by FRN vice-president Corneille Nangaa.
Government says Kabila is planning a general attack
Political
Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said Kabila 'has decided to formalise his widespread attack against the Republic,' and that taking up arms means killing Congolese to try to conquer territories.
FRN linked to drone strikes in North Kivu
Military
Suicide drone strikes attributed to the FRN hit army and allied positions in Musimba and Shovu villages in Masisi Territory, damaging civilian structures and causing casualties, per Radio Okapi.
Defense minister suspends army officers' foreign travel
Military
Following the October 14 defense council, the defense minister indefinitely suspended FARDC officers from traveling abroad without prior authorization.
Tshisekedi convenes defense council
Political
President Félix Tshisekedi presided over a Supreme Defense Council meeting and gave instructions to the armed forces to protect territorial integrity and civilians following the FRN's creation.
AFDC party condemns new rebellion
Political
The Alliance of Democratic Forces of the Congo (AFDC) condemned the new rebellion, calling for a sincere and inclusive dialogue instead of an armed path.
FRN adopts AFC's Doha commitments
Diplomatic
An FRN communiqué says the coalition assumes the AFC's rights, obligations and commitments, including those from the Doha negotiations. FRN leader Freddy Kaniki said the signing marks the AFC's dissolution.
Kabila's former officials split over FRN
Political
Ex-Health Minister Félix Kabange Numbi Mukwampa endorsed the coalition. Former Human Rights Minister Marie-Ange Mushobekwa and PPRD media secretary Aristote Ngarime publicly rejected the armed path.
Kabila launches FRN with M23
Political
Kabila announces the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation in Goma, with M23 leaders as deputies.
FRN founders meet in Goma
Political
Signatories meet over two days and unanimously choose Kabila as FRN president.
African Union mediators visit Kinshasa
Diplomatic
Panel facilitators, except former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, met Tshisekedi and Congolese stakeholders during a three-day visit. The visit was the first step in a six-month roadmap adopted in July.
June 2026
UN experts foresee Kabila's role
Intelligence
A UN Group of Experts report foresees a restructured AFC/M23 with Kabila in a leading role.
2026
US sanctions Kabila
Diplomatic
The US imposes sanctions on Kabila over his alleged role in funding rebel groups.
January 2025
M23 captures Goma
Military
Rebels seize Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo, during a major offensive.
2025
Kabila visits rebel-held Goma
Political
Kabila travels to Goma, deepening perceptions of an alliance with M23.
Kabila sentenced to death in absentia
Legal
A DRC military court convicts Kabila of treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
January 2019
Tshisekedi takes office
Political transition
Tshisekedi is declared winner of the contested 2018 vote; Kabila leaves power.
January 2001
Kabila becomes president
Political transition
Joseph Kabila takes office at 29 after his father, President Laurent Kabila, is assassinated.
Scenarios
1
FRN launches major offensive in eastern Congo
Likely
Resolves by Q1 2027
Discussed by: Yvon Muya, University of Ottawa researcher, and analysts cited by Al Jazeera
Muya said the announcement increases the chances of direct confrontation and that 'we will likely witness an escalation on the military front.' The FRN's founding declaration sets no timetable for operations, but the coalition now has a nationally known political figurehead with an explicit goal of removing the president.
2
November peace talks collapse
Possible
Resolves by End of 2026
Discussed by: Analysts cited by Al Jazeera
DRC government and M23 representatives were expected to meet in Qatar in November. Analysts warn the new coalition could undermine the process, since Kabila is under US sanctions and the FRN openly claims the right to use force.
3
Tshisekedi pursues constitutional change
Possible
Resolves by End of 2027
Discussed by: Al Jazeera reporting on Tshisekedi's allies
Tshisekedi's second term ends in 2028. His allies have been preparing public opinion for changes to the constitution's two-term limit as rebel activity intensifies. The FRN's challenge could push him to move faster or abandon the plan.
4
FRN expands attacks beyond its eastern strongholds
Possible
Resolves by End of 2026
Discussed by: African Security Analysis field reporting
Field reporting says Kabila has helped fund FRN combatant pay and acquire drones and counter-drone gear. A suicide drone strike on army positions in Masisi Territory on October 15 points to new capabilities, though analysts see no full offensive yet.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
1 of 3
October 1996 - May 1997
Laurent Kabila's march on Kinshasa (1996-1997)
Laurent Kabila, Joseph's father, led the AFDL rebellion backed by Rwanda and Uganda. His forces marched across the country and seized Kinshasa in May 1997, ousting longtime dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.
Then
Kabila became president, but the alliance with Rwanda and Uganda soon fractured, leading to the Second Congo War.
Now
The war drew in multiple African nations and killed millions, reshaping the Great Lakes region.
Why this matters now
It is the precedent for a Rwanda-backed rebel force taking Kinshasa. Joseph Kabila is now joining a Rwanda-backed rebellion against the government.
2 of 3
April 2012 - November 2013
First M23 rebellion (2012-2013)
M23, named for a 2009 peace deal, captured Goma in November 2012 after a rapid offensive. The group was formed by former CNDP rebels who said the government failed to honor the 2009 agreement.
Then
M23 withdrew from Goma under international pressure, then was defeated by DRC and UN forces in late 2013.
Now
The group went dormant for years before re-emerging in 2021-2022 with renewed offensives.
Why this matters now
It shows M23's pattern of rapid capture, defeat, and re-emergence. The group now controls Goma again and has a former president as its political figurehead.
3 of 3
December 2018
2018 contested election (2018)
Nangaa, then head of the electoral commission, oversaw a vote that declared Tshisekedi the winner, ending Kabila's 18-year presidency. The result was disputed by opposition figures.
Then
Tshisekedi took office in January 2019 in a power-sharing arrangement that kept Kabila's allies in key positions.
Now
The two men's alliance frayed, and Tshisekedi consolidated power, while Kabila went into opposition.
Why this matters now
Nangaa, who oversaw the vote that brought Tshisekedi to power, is now Kabila's deputy in a coalition aimed at removing him.
