DR Congo's former president Joseph Kabila to lead new movement with M23 rebels

What the report says

Former Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila has announced a new political-military movement aligned with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, according to France24 Africa. The announcement was made at Kabila’s residence in Goma, in eastern Congo, a city the M23 has controlled since January 2025. France24 said Kabila, who ruled from 2001 to 2019, is accused by Congolese authorities of helping create the Congo River Alliance, the former political wing of M23 that has since been dissolved.

The report noted that Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia last year over alleged complicity with the armed group. His latest move deepens the overlap between Congolese politics and the conflict in the east, where violence has continued for decades and peace efforts have repeatedly faltered.

France24 linked the announcement to a wider period of political uncertainty in Kinshasa. President Félix Tshisekedi’s second and final constitutional term is due to end in 2028, while debate has been growing over possible changes to the constitution. The outlet also said a December agreement between Kinshasa and Kigali, backed by Washington, has not produced visible results, and a Qatari-mediated ceasefire deal reached in July 2025 between Kinshasa and M23 has not been respected. This context helps explain why Kabila’s alignment with M23 is politically significant and likely to intensify tensions around eastern Congo’s future.