Ex-president named leader of new DR Congo rebel coalition
Joseph Kabila had previously denied having links to the M23 rebels, which control much of eastern DR Congo.
Ex-president named leader of new DR Congo rebel coalition
Joseph Kabila was DR Congo president from 2001 until January 2019
Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has been appointed head of a new rebel coalition that says it wants to remove the government.
The Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) said it intended to bring together "resistance forces" to end "tyranny" in Democratic Republic of Congo, and said it would work toward that aim "by all means, including force".
Its launch on Monday is the strongest sign yet of Kabila's direct role in an armed movement, a year after he was sentenced to death in absentia for treason. He had earlier denied any ties to the M23 rebel group.
The Congolese government has not commented.
The coalition was unveiled at a press conference held at Kabila's home in Goma, the biggest city in eastern DR Congo, which has been controlled by the M23 since last year.
M23 leader Sultani Makenga will be one of Kabila's four deputies in the new movement. The other three also belong to the AFC-M23 alliance, which last year captured much of mineral-rich eastern DR Congo.
The announcement of the new group comes days after Kabila gave a speech saying he would explain how Congolese people should act to "rescue" their country.
On Friday, Kabila accused President Félix Tshisekedi's government of ignoring proposals he had made last year, including some intended to help end the conflict in eastern DR Congo.
Kabila also accused the government of weakening constitutional rule, mishandling the economy and failing to improve security. He further alleged arbitrary arrests of political opponents and military officers.
The government has not publicly replied to those accusations.
Kabila, 55, led DR Congo from 2001 until January 2019, when Tshisekedi came to power after a disputed election.
The former president had stayed largely out of the public eye for several years, but has become increasingly outspoken in his criticism of his successor's administration.
The creation of the new coalition comes at a fragile moment in a country that has been plagued by violence for decades.
More than 100 militia groups are active in eastern DR Congo amid ethnic tensions and battles for political influence and control of valuable natural resources.
Tshisekedi's second term ends in 2028, but in May he said elections, due then, might not take place because of the conflict.
He also suggested he could run for a third term "if the people want".
Parliament has since approved a bill that could open the way for a referendum to remove the constitution's two-term limit.
Last month, authorities clashed with protesters demonstrating in the capital against the proposed changes.