Kabila takes head of new Congo politico-military rebellion front

Former Congolese president Joseph Kabila was named head of a new politico-military movement, the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation, with AFC/M23 rebel leaders serving as his deputies, the group’s adviser announced on Monday.

Why it matters: Kabila’s open move to the head of the rebellion ends months of denial, sets him directly against President Felix Tshisekedi, and complicates the peace and minerals track in eastern Congo.

Data as of Monday, October 12, 2026: Daily Maverick report relaying Reuters, opened and read in full; RFI and Jeune Afrique (in French) separately report Kabila taking the head of the rebellion and the AFC/M23 being dissolved. Developing item.

The new group, known as the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation, will be headed by Kabila, with rebel leaders Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Freddy Kaniki and Sultani Makenga as deputies, adviser Claude Ibalanky announced at a press conference, and Jeune Afrique reported the AFC/M23 itself dissolved into the new front. Congolese authorities have accused Kabila for months of supporting the AFC/M23, which captured large areas of eastern Congo in an offensive last year, and he had denied involvement.

Kabila, who travelled to rebel held Goma in 2025, was sentenced to death in absentia by a military court after being convicted of treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity over the alleged support; he has denied the accusations and called the case politically motivated. In a speech on Friday he accused the government of corruption and poor governance and criticised its minerals deal with the United States, while the United Nations and Western governments accuse Rwanda of backing M23, which Rwanda denies.

Kabila takes head of new Congo politico-military rebellion front

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