In October 2026, the political landscape of the Democratic Republic of the Congo shifted when Joseph Kabila, the country’s former president, announced the creation of a new political and military coalition. The Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, or FRN, brings together a range of anti‑government forces, notably the M23 rebel group and the Congo River Alliance. Speaking at the press conference in Goma, adviser Claude Ibalanky said the coalition aims to end government tyranny by any means necessary, including the use of force.
The declaration was made at a press conference in Goma, a city in the eastern part of the country. Ibalanky outlined the FRN’s mission, emphasizing that the signatories had decided to pool their forces, resources, and means to create a framework for action. He said the goal was to enable all Congolese people, acting in unison, to undertake the task of liberating their country.
Former Democratic Republic of Congo leader Joseph Kabila says he's starting a new rebel group that will fold in the M23 movement that now occupies part of the country’s east, posing a fresh challenge to President Felix Tshisekedi https://t.co/lfeBan0mTA
The FRN’s leadership structure includes four vice presidents, one of whom is Corneille Nangaa. This arrangement reflects the coalition’s attempt to incorporate diverse factions under a single command.
Kabila has faced legal consequences for his alleged involvement with these forces.
By aligning with armed groups such as M23, the FRN presents a direct challenge to Tshisekedi’s government. The move poses a severe challenge to the president’s administration and to peace initiatives in eastern Congo. The coalition’s rhetoric of ending tyranny by any means necessary raises questions about the potential for renewed violence in a region already marked by complex security dynamics.
Congo's former president Kabila forms new group to replace M23 insurgency https://t.co/VQoPk7zUVh
Kabila has faced legal consequences for his alleged involvement with these forces. He was previously sentenced to death in absentia by a Congolese military court for treason and collaboration with M23 and Rwanda, and faces US sanctions.
The eastern part of the Congo is home to a multitude of armed actors. Around one hundred armed groups are vying for a foothold in the region. This crowded environment underscores the difficulty of any single faction achieving dominance and highlights the volatile backdrop against which the FRN is seeking to establish itself.
The #DRC🇨🇩’s former head of state, Joseph Kabila, launches a new group to take over the #M23 insurgency in Eastern Congo — proving the #USA🇺🇲 was right to sanction him earlier this year for supporting rebels in the strategic #CriticalMinerals-rich country. https://t.co/1dKisWVB9S
Kabila’s own political biography provides context for his latest move. He first took office at the age of twenty‑nine, beginning his leadership of Congo in 2001. His presidency concluded in 2019, after which he has remained a prominent, albeit controversial, figure in national politics. The FRN’s launch and the Goma press conference occurred on 2026‑10‑13.
The formation of the FRN adds a new layer to the ongoing struggle for power and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With a former head of state aligning himself with rebel factions, accusing the government of tyranny and invoking the possibility of force, the country’s political trajectory remains uncertain. Observers will watch how the coalition’s actions influence the existing security situation, peace processes and the broader relationship between Congo and its neighbours.