Former President Joseph Kabila has confirmed his intention to return to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to help resolve the ongoing crisis in the war-torn east, where M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, have made significant territorial gains.
The M23 insurgency has been devastating since its resurgence in January, with violent offensives killing thousands and displacing hundreds of thousands of people. The conflict has raised alarms about the potential for a broader regional war. Plans for peace talks between Congo and Rwanda, originally set for April 9 in Doha, have been delayed, with no new date announced. Rwanda denies supporting the M23 rebels.
Kabila, who governed the DRC from 2001 to 2019, has been living abroad since his departure from office in 2023. He expressed his determination to return without delay to contribute to finding a solution to the crisis, especially in the east. “I have resolved to return home to contribute to the search for a solution,” Kabila stated.
His decision to return is expected to stir political tension in the country. Kabila’s time in power was marked by controversy, including accusations of electoral manipulation and his refusal to step down when his term ended in 2016, sparking deadly protests. His eventual departure followed elections in 2018, which saw Felix Tshisekedi take office.
Tshisekedi and Kabila had a power-sharing arrangement following the disputed 2018 election, but their relationship has since soured. Tshisekedi recently accused Kabila of supporting the M23 rebels, a claim Kabila denies. While in exile, Kabila has engaged with opposition figures and civil society members to discuss Congo’s political future, amid widespread criticism of Tshisekedi’s handling of the M23 offensive.
Kabila outlined his focus on the eastern region, where the M23 threat is most pressing, following consultations with key national and international figures involved in the conflict.
