Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has been named the leader of a new political-military coalition known as the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a group bringing together figures associated with the AFC/M23 movement and other opponents of President Félix Tshisekedi’s government.
The coalition was announced on October 12, 2026, in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province in eastern DRC, an area that has been at the centre of a prolonged conflict between government forces and armed groups.
The formation of the FRN represents a new development in the political and military landscape of eastern Congo, where the AFC/M23 movement has expanded its territorial control and challenged the authority of the central government.
According to statements attributed to coalition representatives, the new group aims to unite forces opposed to Tshisekedi’s administration and coordinate their activities under a common leadership structure.
Claude Ibalanky, an adviser to the coalition, said the movement intended to bring together different forces to pursue what it describes as the refoundation of the Congolese nation. He indicated that the coalition could use different approaches, including force, to achieve its objectives.
The new leadership structure includes Corneille Nangaa and Bertrand Bisimwa as vice-presidents, while M23 military commander Sultani Makenga has been appointed chief of general staff. Freddy Kaniki has been named secretary-general.
Kabila’s appointment places the former president at the centre of a new political arrangement involving individuals associated with the rebellion in eastern Congo. He led the country from 2001 to 2019 before leaving office following the 2018 election.
The former president has repeatedly criticised Tshisekedi’s administration over governance and the security situation in the east. Congolese authorities have also accused him of supporting the AFC/M23 rebellion, allegations he has denied.
The conflict in eastern DRC has caused widespread displacement and created a serious humanitarian crisis. M23 fighters captured Goma in January 2025, and the group has maintained control over significant areas despite diplomatic efforts to end the fighting.
The emergence of the FRN could introduce further complications into attempts to negotiate a settlement. Discussions between the Congolese government and representatives of the AFC/M23 movement have formed part of broader regional efforts to reduce hostilities, but insecurity has persisted in several areas.
Kabila also faces legal challenges in his home country. In 2025, a Congolese military court sentenced him to death in absentia following a trial involving charges including treason and war crimes linked to alleged support for the rebellion. Kabila has rejected the accusations and described the proceedings as politically motivated.
The announcement of the new coalition is therefore likely to draw further attention to the relationship between the former president, the armed movement in eastern Congo and the broader struggle over political authority in the country.
The extent to which the FRN will alter the conflict or affect ongoing diplomatic initiatives remains uncertain. Its stated objectives, leadership arrangements and relationship with the AFC/M23 movement are likely to be important factors in the next phase of the crisis.
Source: Thepressradio.com
