Former DR Congo president Kabila joins M23 rebels in a new coalition

Former Congolese president Joseph Kabila has launched a new political and military coalition, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), which includes the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group that has captured large areas in eastern DRC. Kabila announced the formation of the FRN at a press conference in Goma, where M23 has been based since January 2025. He stated he will lead the FRN with rebel leaders including Corneille Nangaa as deputies. The announcement is expected to escalate tensions and possibly lead to direct conflict with the DRC government, with peace talks scheduled for November in Qatar.