Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi has accused his predecessor, Joseph Kabila, of acting on behalf of Rwanda after joining forces with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel movement in the country’s conflict-hit east.
Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019, recently took a leading role in the insurgency through the newly formed Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), which brings together his supporters and M23 leaders.
The group has pledged to combine its resources and capabilities to end what it describes as tyranny under Tshisekedi’s government in Kinshasa.
Speaking to lawmakers from his ruling coalition on Tuesday, Tshisekedi accused Rwandan President Paul Kagame of bringing Kabila out of the shadows to lead the latest phase of the offensive against the Congolese government.
The Congolese president described Kabila’s involvement as a sign of weakness among the rebels, arguing that they had turned to his predecessor because they lacked other solutions.
Under the FRN’s leadership structure, Kabila is expected to head the organisation, with M23 leaders serving as deputies.
Congolese authorities have long accused Kabila of supporting the Congo River Alliance (AFC), the political wing formerly associated with M23. Kabila denies the allegations. In September 2025, he was sentenced to death in absentia after being convicted of crimes including complicity with the rebellion.
After spending several years outside the country, Kabila returned to the eastern city of Goma in May 2025. The city was captured by M23 forces earlier that year, alongside Bukavu, in an offensive involving the Rwandan army.
Although the front lines have since largely stabilised, fighting continues in parts of eastern DRC, particularly in South Kivu province, where civilians remain exposed to insecurity and displacement.
Kabila’s return to the political arena also comes amid growing domestic tensions. Opposition rallies in June and September protested against a proposed constitutional amendment that critics fear could allow Tshisekedi to seek a third presidential term.
Tshisekedi, 63, is due to complete his second and constitutionally final five-year term in 2028.
The emergence of the FRN adds another dimension to the conflict, raising concerns that the involvement of a former head of state could further complicate efforts to restore peace in eastern DRC. With fighting continuing and political tensions mounting in Kinshasa, the country faces growing pressure to find a lasting solution to the crisis while protecting its sovereignty and civilian population.
