Kabila will lead the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation, with Alliance Fleuve Congo-M23 leaders Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Freddy Kaniki and Sultani Makenga serving as deputies.
DRC authorities have accused Kabila of supporting AFC-M23, which seized territory during an offensive in eastern DRC in 2025. Kabila has denied involvement.
Independent Political Analyst Jean Donald Taladzi said the coalition’s membership raised questions about whether the organisation represented a new movement or a rebranding of AFC-M23 under Kabila’s leadership. “Kabila has put a new movement on the table aligned with rebels accused of committing atrocities in the DRC,” Taladzi said.
Kabila has accused the current government of corruption, mismanagement of mineral resources and failing to address insecurity.
Taladzi said those concerns reflected genuine problems facing the DRC. However, the inclusion of armed leaders could place military pressure on President Félix Tshisekedi to enter negotiations. “On the one hand, Kabila is communicating that Kabila wants dialogue and inclusivity,” Taladzi said.
“On the other hand, there is a threat because Kabila has aligned with M23 rebels.”
The development could complicate planned negotiations involving the Congolese government and M23 in Qatar in November.
“The mediation effort will have to continue,” Taladzi said. “The challenge now is that nobody knows exactly what Kabila wants, so the mediation will have to engage Kabila.”
Taladzi said mediators would also have to overcome Tshisekedi’s reluctance to negotiate directly with M23. “It is not going to be smooth sailing for the negotiations,” Taladzi said.
The new coalition emerges amid debate over possible constitutional changes in the DRC. Opposition parties have warned against removing presidential term limits before Tshisekedi’s second term ends in 2028.
Taladzi cautioned that attempts to change the Constitution could encourage closer cooperation between political opposition groups and armed movements.
Taladzi urged regional and international mediators to maintain engagement and seek a political settlement capable of preventing further conflict.
–ChannelAfrica–
