Goma, Monday evening: former president Joseph Kabila leads the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a political-military coalition announced in the North Kivu city, under M23-AFC control since January 2025. Al Jazeera, 18 October: the FRN replaces the Alliance Fleuve Congo’s pact with M23. It accuses Félix Tshisekedi of “tyranny” and calls for resistance “by all means, including force”. This is not a peace deal. Kinshasa has not recognised it.

BBC: a press conference at Kabila’s residence in Goma. The clearest sign yet, London writes, that the former head of state is directly involved in an armed movement, a year after a death sentence in absentia for treason. He had previously denied links to M23. The government has not officially commented on the announcement. Sultani Makenga, the M23 leader, is one of four deputies, still BBC.

On Wednesday, an FRN communiqué signed by Freddy Kaniki: signing the memorandum and the official launch dissolve the AFC; the FRN succeeds it “by right” and takes on its rights, obligations and commitments, “in particular those entered into as part of the Doha negotiations”. That is their text. It is not a signed ceasefire. The United States and Qatar have separate diplomatic tracks: Doha, government–AFC-M23; Washington, DRC–Rwanda, including the FDLR and a Rwandan troop withdrawal. Accusations that Kigali backs M23 remain accusations; Kigali denies them, citing security threats.

Vital Kamerhe, a former National Assembly speaker, UNC: the movement should drop armed struggle. “You cannot erase your own record by accusing your successor.” Then: nothing justifies taking up arms against one’s own country. His appeal, not a mediation that worked. Activist Josue Akuzwe Walayi, to Al Jazeera: the fear is not only a diplomatic failure in Doha and Washington, but agreements without real peace.

Last year a military court sentenced Kabila to death in absentia, including for treason and war crimes, linking him to M23. Relatives: the conviction was “unjust” and “politically motivated”. That is not our verdict. Resident Basa Juhudi, quoted by Al Jazeera: he hoped the government would free Goma; he is surprised the former president has joined the fray. Willo Riziki: if Kinshasa thought it was dealing with “puppets”, that is no longer the case. Their lines. Last week spokesman Patrick Muyaya, on a warning from Kabila: he has nothing to offer but chaos; a “man of the past”.

A coalition announced in Goma. The FRN says it will keep Doha. Kinshasa has not answered the announcement. It is not the peace.

Image: aerial view of Goma, North Kivu, 14 November 2014, MONUSCO Photos, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons. The city, not the coalition.

Sources consulted: Joseph Kabila: DR Congo ex-president named leader of new M23 rebel coalition — BBC; Fears grow in DRC as former President Joseph Kabila joins rebellion — Al Jazeera.