Fears grow in DRC as former President Joseph Kabila joins rebellion

Kabila enters the rebellion

Goma, the main city in North Kivu province, has been under M23-AFC control since January last year. Residents fear the new alignment could prolong the conflict and push peace further away.

M23 says it took up arms because the government did not honour earlier commitments. The Congolese government and international actors accuse Rwanda of supporting the group; Kigali denies this and points to security threats from armed groups in eastern Congo.

A troubled political history

For Goma resident Basa Juhudi, Kabila’s involvement revives fears that the conflict will continue. Juhudi said the former president’s political experience makes his role particularly troubling and raised concern for the country’s democratic future.

Criticism and calls for dialogue

Kamerhe also urged the movement’s leaders to abandon their plans and choose dialogue. He said no frustration, difference or ambition could justify taking up weapons against the country and risking Congolese lives.

In Doha, representatives of the Congolese government and AFC-M23 have discussed a ceasefire, refugee returns, detainee releases and measures against rhetoric stigmatising ethnic minorities. The FRN says it will honour the commitments made in those negotiations.

Questions over peace commitments

Human rights activist Josue Akuzwe Walayi warned that agreements without effective accountability could become empty promises. He said lasting peace requires commitments to be honoured and violations to be documented, investigated and punished under the law.