DRC: Joseph Kabila takes the lead of FRN, new political-military coalition with M23

Joseph Kabila is now publicly leading a political-military coalition of AFC/M23 leaders. The Front pour la réfondation de la nation (FRN) was presented Monday, 12 October 2026 in the residence of the former president in Goma, a rebel-controlled city in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. France 24, Young Africa and RTBF report the same announcement: the creation of the movement and the designation of Kabila at its head. [S3] [S4] [S5]

An official alliance in Goma

President of the DRC from 2001 to 2019, Joseph Kabila appeared before the press alongside the main rebel leaders. According to France 24 and the AFP dispatch published 24 hours, he did not speak. RFI identifies Claude Ibalanky, former traveling ambassador of Félix Tshisekedi, as the person responsible for presenting the new alliance and its objectives. It is therefore an announcement made in the presence of Kabila, not a public speech on his part at this conference. [S1] [S3] [S6]

The core of the leadership reached consensus: Corneille Nangaa, previously coordinator of the Alliance Fleuve Congo, Bertrand Bisimwa, President of M23, and Sultani Makenga, his military leader, surrounded the former head of state. RFI presents them as three Vice-Presidents. Young Africa states that Makenga becomes Chief of General Staff of the movement, with the rank of Vice-President. These descriptions combine a new political presidency with the maintenance of the main cadres of the rebellion. [S4] [S6]

A reorganization whose contours remain to be specified

However, the publications do not describe exactly the future of the old structures in exactly the same way. Young Africa reports, on the basis of sources close to the movement, an official dissolution of AFC/M23. France 24 and RTBF refer more precisely to the dissolution of the AFC, which they present as the political branch of the armed group. RFI states that the FRN now includes AFC and M23, while Reuters speaks of a coalition to replace their alliance. They all describe the same reorganization, without giving uniform details of institutional and military arrangements. [S3] [S4] [S5] [S6] [S7]

A difference also remains on Freddy Kaniki: Young Africa indicates, on the conditional, that he would take the general secretariat, with Benjamin Bonimpa as deputy. Reuters quotes him among the officials called to support Kabila, without specifying his portfolio. The full organizational chart therefore remains to be clarified; RFI also reports that the FRN is announcing further structures and new communications in the near future. [S4] [S6] [S7]

The use of explicitly claimed force

The statement of the FRN announces a pooling of forces and resources against the power of Felix Tshisekedi. She claims to put an end to what she calls "tyranny," "including force." This qualification belongs to the movement: it constitutes its political justification, not an independent observation. According to RFI and Jeune Afrique, the initiators invoke article 64 of the Constitution, which deals with the duty to defeat a seizure of power by force or its unconstitutional exercise. This invocation alone is not a legal validation of their approach. [S1] [S4] [S6]

This took office after Joseph Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia at the end of September 2025, especially for treason and war crimes. Congolese military justice had considered him one of the initiators of the AFC. Reuters recalls that the former president had denied the accusations of support for the rebellion and denounced a politically motivated procedure. His current public commitment must be distinguished from past responsibilities held by the courts and challenged. [S3] [S5] [S7]

Political confrontation against the backdrop of persistent conflict

The announcement came as Félix Tshisekedi's second term was due to end in 2028. France 24 and RTBF report that the presidential majority is preparing the opinion for a constitutional amendment that could pave the way for a third term, while the opposition denounces a desire to maintain power. These tensions constitute the context of the alliance, without demonstrating that the whole opposition joins the FRN. [S3] [S5]

On the ground, M23 has been controlling Goma and Bukavu since its 2025 offensive. Reuters recalls that the UN and Western governments accuse Rwanda of supporting and leading the rebels, which Kigali denies. The articles consulted establish the creation of the FRN, but do not yet document its operational consequences or a detailed official response from Kinshasa to this announcement. The new direction is proclaimed; Its effects on fighting and peace processes remain uncertain. [S3] [S6] [S7]