Former President Forms New Group, Poised to Rebel
Tensions are escalating in the African nation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo amid a war over control of the government. Its former president has launched a new political-military coalition to fight government forces in the east of the country.
Joseph Kabila, who served as president from 2001 to 2019, has formed an alliance intended to replace AFC-M23. AFC-M23 is a political and armed rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that is fighting government forces and controls several areas in the country’s east.
The move marks Kabila’s more open involvement in the armed conflict. Reuters reported on Tuesday (13 October 2026) that the new group, led by Kabila, will be called the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation, or Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN).
“Rebel leaders Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Freddy Kaniki and Sultani Makenga will serve as deputy leaders,” the report said.
“The formation of the FRN was announced by the group’s adviser, Claude Ibalanky, at a press conference,” Reuters also reported.
For months, local authorities have accused Kabila of supporting AFC-M23. The rebel group seized extensive territory in the east of the country in a major offensive last year.
Kabila has previously denied involvement in the rebellion.
In a speech last Friday, Kabila criticised the government, accusing it of corruption, poor governance and military setbacks in the east. He also criticised the government’s minerals agreement with the United States.
Kabila is known to have ties to Nangaa, the former head of the electoral commission that oversaw the controversial 2018 vote. That election brought Felix Tshisekedi to the presidency and ended Kabila’s time in office.
In 2025, Kabila travelled to Goma, a city controlled by rebels, where several of his former allies later took positions within AFC-M23. This development further strengthened perceptions of a link between Kabila and the rebel group.
The United Nations and several Western governments have accused Rwanda of supporting M23 and exercising command control over the group. Rwanda denies backing the rebellion.
Sentenced to death
Kabila’s involvement in the conflict comes as he faces legal troubles. In September 2025, a military court sentenced him to death in absentia.
He was found guilty of treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with alleged support for the AFC-M23 rebellion, which is said to be backed by Rwanda. Kabila denies the accusations and says the case against him is politically motivated.
The formation of the FRN could clarify Kabila’s position in the conflict in the east. The tensions have involved territorial disputes, political rivalries and allegations of cross-border interference.