Former President Joseph Kabila announced a new political-military coalition including the M23 rebels. The move occurs amid debates over constitutional term limits for President Felix Tshisekedi.
Former Democratic Republic of the Congo President Joseph Kabila has launched a new political and military coalition opposed to the current government. The alliance includes the M23 rebels, an armed group that has captured wide swaths of territory in eastern Congo.
The announcement was made on Monday at a joint press conference held at Kabila’s residence in Goma. Goma is the major city in eastern Congo that the M23 armed group has controlled since January 2025. According to France 24, the group is backed by Rwanda.
Kabila, who ruled the country from 2001 to 2019, is currently sentenced to death in absentia. The sentence was handed down a year ago for alleged "complicity" with the M23. Congolese authorities accuse the 55-year-old former president of being one of the initiators of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which was the political wing of the M23 before it was dissolved.
The formation of this alliance takes place during a period of uncertain political climate in the Democratic Republic of Congo. President Felix Tshisekedi, Kabila’s successor, is currently serving his second and final five-year term, which is set to end in 2028.
The Congolese Constitution limits presidents to two five-year terms. However, reports indicate that for several months, the presidential majority has been preparing public opinion for potential amendments to the constitutional text. This debate over term limits coincides with the emergence of a new opposition force led by the former president.
Eastern DRC has experienced violence for over 30 years, with multiple mediation attempts failing to secure lasting peace. A deal signed in December by Kinshasa and Kigali, under the auspices of Washington, has reportedly had no tangible effect on the ground.
Additionally, in July 2025, Kinshasa and the M23 committed to a ceasefire as part of a Qatari-mediated process. According to France 24, this ceasefire is not being respected. The launch of Kabila’s new front adds a new dynamic to the existing conflict in the region.
The alliance between a former head of state and an active rebel group challenges the legitimacy and stability of the current government. It complicates ongoing peace efforts and intensifies the political struggle over constitutional term limits ahead of the 2028 election.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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