Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has been named leader of a new political-military coalition seeking to remove President Félix Tshisekedi’s government.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) was unveiled on Monday, October 12, at a press conference held at Kabila’s residence in Goma, eastern DRC, a city controlled by the M23 rebel group since January 2025.
Claude Ibalanky, an adviser to the coalition, announced Kabila’s leadership, with Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Freddy Kaniki and Sultani Makenga appointed as deputies.
The coalition said it would unite resistance forces to end what it described as “tyranny” in the country, stating that it would pursue its objectives “by all means, including force”.
The development marks a more direct involvement by Kabila in the armed opposition to Tshisekedi’s administration, following repeated denials that he supported the M23 insurgency.
Nangaa and Bisimwa are associated with the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)-M23 alliance, while Makenga is a senior M23 military leader. The rebel movement has seized significant territory in eastern DRC, including key cities and areas rich in mineral resources.
Kabila has increasingly criticised Tshisekedi’s government, accusing it of corruption, poor economic management, worsening insecurity and arbitrary arrests of political opponents and military officers. He has also faulted the administration’s minerals agreement with the United States.
Kabila ruled the country from 2001 until January 2019, when Tshisekedi took office following a disputed election. In September 2025, a military court sentenced Kabila to death in absentia after convicting him of treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity over allegations linked to the rebellion. Kabila has denied the accusations and described the case as politically motivated.
The emergence of the FRN comes amid continuing insecurity in eastern DRC and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
