KABILA TAKES LEADERSHIP OF NEW REBEL COALITION LINKED TO M23
KINSHASA, DRC – Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has reportedly assumed leadership of a new political-military coalition incorporating the M23 rebel movement, marking a significant development in the country’s ongoing conflict.
The coalition, known as the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), was reportedly unveiled in Goma on Monday, October 12, 2026, replacing the political structure previously associated with the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC).
Under the reported leadership arrangement, Kabila becomes president of the coalition, with Corneille Nangaa and Bertrand Bisimwa serving as vice-presidents, while M23 military commander Sultani Makenga retains a senior military role.
The development signals a potentially significant shift in eastern Congo’s political and security landscape, where M23 rebels have been engaged in a prolonged conflict with government forces.
The coalition is reportedly seeking to challenge President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration, raising fresh concerns about the future of peace negotiations and stability in the Great Lakes region.
However, it remains unclear whether Kabila’s reported appointment gives him direct command over M23’s military operations.