Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila made his first public appearance in two years on Thursday, meeting with religious leaders in Goma, a city now controlled by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, in what participants said was a bid to restore peace.
Kabila, 53, has been living mostly in South Africa since 2023 and faces an arrest warrant in Congo for alleged crimes against humanity tied to his support for the eastern insurgency. The Kinshasa government has suspended his political party and seized its assets.
His aides deny any links to the M23 rebels, who have expanded their control in the east since January. Kabila had repeatedly vowed to return to Congo to help resolve the conflict.
His presence could complicate U.S.-backed efforts for a peace deal between Congo and Rwanda. Massad Boulos, a senior Africa adviser to former President Donald Trump, told Reuters this month that Washington was pushing for a deal this summer, potentially including lucrative mineral agreements.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s government accused Kabila this week of seeking to align himself with the rebels and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Kabila received the religious leaders at his residence in Kinyogote, west of Goma. Reporters were barred from filming the meeting, and Kabila did not speak to the press.
“He expressed his wish to see peace return to the east and to the entire country,” said Joel Amurani, head of the Interfaith Synergy for Peace and Mediation.
Kabila’s aides said he would continue discussions on security challenges on Friday, involving military, civil and political figures. It is unclear how long he plans to remain in M23-held areas.
The United Nations and Western governments say Rwanda has armed M23. Rwanda denies the charges, saying its troops have only acted in self-defence.