Former President Joseph Kabila has announced he will return to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to assist in resolving the ongoing conflict in the war-torn east, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized significant territory, he told Reuters on Tuesday.
The M23 rebels’ offensive, which began in January, has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands, exacerbating fears of a broader regional conflict. Despite peace talks between Congo and Rwanda initially scheduled for April 9 in Doha, these discussions have been delayed, with no new date set. Rwanda denies supporting the rebels.
Kabila, who served as president from 2001 to 2019, left the country in 2023 and has since been living in South Africa and other African nations. “I have resolved to return home without delay to contribute to the search for a solution,” he said, expressing his intent to help bring peace to the eastern region.
His return is likely to be contentious. Kabila’s presidency, which lasted nearly two decades, ended in controversy after he refused to step down when his term officially expired in 2016, leading to violent protests. His opponents accused him of delaying elections to secure a third term, which he ultimately relinquished in 2018 after a disputed election.
Since then, Kabila’s relationship with current President Félix Tshisekedi has been strained. Despite forming a power-sharing agreement following the 2018 election, Tshisekedi later accused Kabila of obstructing reforms. The tensions have deepened in recent months, with Tshisekedi accusing Kabila of supporting the M23 rebels as they advanced toward Bukavu in February.
In response, Kabila has been engaging with opposition leaders and civil society members to discuss the country’s future, particularly focusing on the political turmoil surrounding Tshisekedi’s handling of the M23 threat. Kabila recently indicated that his first priority upon returning would be addressing the immediate dangers in the east.
“I have decided to begin with the eastern region, where there is danger at hand,” Kabila said in a written statement, adding that his decision came after consultations with national and international stakeholders involved in the conflict.