Joseph Kabila accused of planning armed insurgency in DR Congo

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has formally accused former President Joseph Kabila of orchestrating a "general attack" against the state. According to government spokesman Patrick Muyaya, Kabila is allegedly collaborating with the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group to launch an armed insurgency. The announcement marks a significant escalation in the ongoing political instability within the central African nation, highlighting the fragile security situation in the eastern provinces where rebel activity remains high.

Officials claim that Kabila intends to establish a new militant organisation called the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN). The group's purported objective is to "combat tyranny" and seize territory within the DRC. This development follows Kabila's return to Goma in May 2025, a move that occurred despite him previously being condemned to death in absentia by a military court for his alleged links to the M23 rebels. The government asserts that the FRN is designed to provide a political and military platform for Kabila’s return to power through force.

The allegations come at a time of heightened political tension in Kinshasa, as President Felix Tshisekedi explores constitutional amendments that could allow him to seek a third term in office. While Kabila has publicly voiced support for opposition movements and criticized the current administration, the government maintains that his dissent has transitioned into active subversion. Opposition rallies have grown more frequent, reflecting a deepening divide between the government and its critics over democratic processes, national sovereignty, and the handling of the conflict in the east.

As the DRC continues to battle various armed groups in its volatile eastern provinces, these accusations against a former head of state threaten to further destabilise the region. The international community has previously raised concerns about the involvement of neighbouring states in the DRC's internal conflicts, and the alleged alliance between Kabila and the M23 could complicate regional diplomatic efforts to restore peace. The Congolese government has indicated it will take necessary measures to protect the state, though specific next steps regarding Kabila’s legal status have not yet been clarified.