Kabila allies with M23 rebels in DR Congo power shift

Summarised from France 24's report · Updated 13 Oct, 03:19 · Archive

Former DR Congo president Joseph Kabila has announced a political-military alliance with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.

Joseph Kabila, former DR Congo president who ruled from 2001 to 2019, announced a new political-military alliance with the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group on Monday. The alliance was presented at a joint press conference at Kabila's residence in Goma, the major city in eastern Congo that M23 has controlled since January 2025.

Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia a year ago for alleged complicity with M23. Congolese authorities accuse him of being one of the initiators of the Congo River Alliance, the now-dissolved political wing of M23. The 55-year-old's announcement comes amid uncertainty over constitutional changes as President Felix Tshisekedi approaches the end of his second and final five-year term in 2028.

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• DR Congo's former president Joseph Kabila to lead new movement with M23 rebelsFormer DR Congo president Joseph Kabila announced a new political-military alliance with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels on Monday, despite being sentenced to death in absentia for alleged complicity with the group. The move comes as debate grows over constitutional changes ahead of President Felix Tshisekedi’s final term ending in 2028.France 24 · 12 Oct, 22:27

In this story: Joseph Kabila · M23 · Felix Tshisekedi · Democratic Republic of Congo · Rwanda · Goma

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