Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has emerged as the leader of a new political-military coalition, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), which brings together prominent figures from the AFC/M23 rebel movement.
The coalition was announced on Monday in Goma, eastern DRC, positioning itself in opposition to the government of President Félix Tshisekedi.
Speaking at a press conference, coalition adviser Claude Ibalanky said the group aimed to unite and coordinate resistance forces to end what it described as tyranny, including through the use of force.
“The mission of the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation is to unite and coordinate all resistance forces in order to put an end to tyranny—by any means necessary, including force—and to chart a new course and create new prospects for the country,” Ibalanky said.
Under the coalition’s leadership structure, M23 figures Corneille Nangaa and Bertrand Bisimwa have been appointed vice-presidents, while Sultani Makenga will serve as Chief of General Staff.
Freddy Kaniki has been named Secretary-General, with Benjamin Bonimpa appointed Deputy Secretary-General.
Ibalanky said the coalition’s signatories had agreed to combine their forces and resources to establish a platform through which Congolese people could work together to “liberate their country.”
The DRC government has yet to comment on the announcement.
The formation of the FRN comes amid a realignment of groups opposed to the country’s leadership.
In a report published in June, the United Nations Group of Experts had highlighted the possibility of a restructuring of the AFC/M23, including a change of name and a prominent role for Kabila.
Coalition member Moïse Nyarugabo issued a warning to Tshisekedi, saying the group was prepared for either peace or conflict, depending on the president’s decision.
“Today, the message to Tshisekedi is that he must make a choice,” Nyarugabo said. “If he wants peace, we are ready to grant it to him; if he chooses war, he will get that too.”
Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019, was sentenced to death in absentia by a Congolese court last year over charges that included treason and war crimes.
The former president has denied links to the M23 movement and Rwanda, describing the legal proceedings against him as politically motivated.
 President Joseph Kabila has emerged as the leader of a new political-military coalition, the Front){kind=link}