Key facts
- Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has launched a new political-military coalition called the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN).
- The FRN aims to coordinate "resistance forces" to end "tyranny" in the Democratic Republic of Congo, using "all means, including force."
- Kabila, who previously denied links to the M23 rebel group, was sentenced in absentia for treason.
- M23 leader Sultani Makenga will serve as one of Kabila's four deputies in the new movement.
- Kabila accused President Félix Tshisekedi's government of disregarding his proposals, undermining constitutional rule, mismanaging the economy, and failing to improve security.
Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has been named the leader of a new rebel coalition, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), which aims to coordinate "resistance forces" to end "tyranny" in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The group announced it would pursue its goals "by all means, including force."
The FRN's unveiling marks Kabila's clearest direct involvement in an armed movement, a year after he was sentenced to death in absentia for treason. He had previously denied having links to the M23 rebel group, which has seized much of eastern DR Congo. M23 leader Sultani Makenga will serve as one of Kabila's four deputies in the new movement, alongside other former leaders from the AFC-M23 alliance.