Joseph Kabila introduced the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) at a press conference at his residence in Goma, the eastern city that M23 has held since January 2025. He said he will head the coalition, with rebel leaders including Corneille Nangaa, the former leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC) and the political wing of M23, serving as his deputies.
Claude Ibalanky, a coalition adviser, said the group aims to unite all resistance forces "to put an end to tyranny, by any means necessary including the use of force."
There was no immediate response from the DRC government. Yvon Muya, a researcher at the University of Ottawa, said the announcement increases the chances of a direct confrontation between Kabila and President Felix Tshisekedi. "You don't make an announcement like this without having prepared the actions that follow," Muya said. "We will likely witness an escalation on the military front."
Representatives from the DRC government and the M23 movement were expected to meet in Qatar in November for talks, but analysts warn the new coalition could undermine the process.
Kabila led DR Congo from 2001 to 2019, succeeding his father after his assassination. A DRC military court sentenced him to death in absentia last year on charges of treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity, finding that he collaborated with Rwanda and M23. Kabila has called the case politically motivated and denies the charges. The US imposed sanctions on him earlier this year over his alleged role in funding rebel groups.
The DRC, the US and UN experts accuse Rwanda of backing M23, an allegation Rwanda denies.