Kinshasa accuses former President Kabila of planning a "massive attack"

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On Friday, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo accused former President Joseph Kabila of planning an "all-out attack" after allying himself with the Rwandan-backed M23 armed movement to confront government forces.

Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya told Agence France-Presse that Kabila "decided to formalize his large-scale attack against the republic." He added: "They want to launch a movement that gives them a new facade, but the intentions, criminal plans and modus operandi are known."

On Monday, Kabila announced his alliance with the M23 movement to form a new entity, in a move that strengthens his direct involvement in the rebellion taking place in the east of the country.

The new organization, called the “Front for the Reestablishment of the Nation,” presented itself as a “political-military” organization aiming to unite efforts and resources “to put an end to tyranny by all means, including force.”

Kabila will assume leadership of the organization, with the leaders of the M23 movement serving as his deputies.

Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia a year ago on charges of "collusion" with M23.

The 55-year-old former president, who ruled the country between 2001 and 2019, is accused of being one of the founders of the Congo River Alliance, the former political wing of the movement, which he denies.

After years spent outside the country, Kabila reappeared in May 2025 in the eastern city of Goma, which is under the control of M23.

At the beginning of 2025, an attack launched by the movement with the support of the Rwandan army in eastern Democratic Congo resulted in control of the cities of Goma and Bukavu.

Kabila's return comes at a sensitive time, after the country witnessed opposition demonstrations in June and September in protest against a draft constitutional amendment that could open the door to a third term for President Felix Tshisekedi.

Tshisekedi's second and final term is scheduled to end in 2028.

In a speech published online on Friday, Kabila accused the government of being “motivated only by the desire to remain in power.”