Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has formally stepped out of political retirement to head a newly established rebel alliance dedicated to removing the current administration. The coalition, named the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, publicly revealed its existence during a Monday event held at Kabila's home in Goma.

Representatives for the newly formed movement stated that the organization intends to unite various opposition factions to dismantle what it describes as oppressive governance. Officials speaking for the group added that the coalition is prepared to utilize every necessary method, including armed conflict, to achieve its objectives.

This development marks a significant shift in Kabila's public standing, tying him directly to an insurgent campaign. Last year, a domestic court sentenced the former leader to death in absentia on treason charges, though he had previously maintained that he had no connections to the M23 insurgent faction.

Footage broadcast by the coalition captured the 55-year-old politician endorsing the founding documents alongside other prominent figures. Among those appointed to leadership roles is M23 commander Sultani Makenga, who will act as one of four deputy leaders. The remaining three vice-presidents are also affiliated with the AFC-M23 alliance, a faction that captured extensive territory across the mineral-dense eastern region over the past year. Authorities in Kinshasa have not yet issued an official statement regarding the formation of the coalition.

The unveiling follows a public address delivered by Kabila late last week, during which he outlined plans to rescue the nation from its current trajectory. In that speech, the former head of state criticized President Félix Tshisekedi for ignoring earlier proposals meant to resolve regional hostilities. He further alleged that the current administration has eroded democratic norms, mismanaged the national economy, and overseen arbitrary detentions targeting military personnel and political adversaries.

Kabila governed the Central African nation from 2001 until early 2019, stepping down after a contested election that brought Tshisekedi to power. Although the two leaders initially maintained an informal political alliance, their relationship eventually deteriorated, prompting Kabila to relocate abroad in 2023 before returning to Goma the following year.

The eastern territories of the country have suffered from chronic instability for decades, with upwards of a hundred armed factions competing for territory, ethnic influence, and access to valuable natural resources. International observers and United Nations experts have frequently accused neighboring Rwanda of providing military backing to the M23 insurgents, an allegation that Kigali consistently denies while maintaining that its regional deployment serves defensive purposes.

Meanwhile, political tensions have mounted in Kinshasa regarding the future of the nation's governance. President Tshisekedi, whose second and final constitutional term is scheduled to conclude in 2028, suggested earlier this year that ongoing security crises might delay the vote and raised the possibility of seeking an extended tenure. Lawmakers subsequently advanced legislation that could clear the path for a constitutional referendum to eliminate presidential term limits, sparking street protests in the capital last month.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.