Former DRC president Joseph Kabila joins rebel coalition against Tshisekedi

what happened

Hopes for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have taken another hit after former president Joseph Kabila joined the newly formed Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a political-military coalition challenging President Felix Tshisekedi. The group was announced in Goma on Monday evening. It brings together figures and forces linked to the AFC and M23 movements, replaces their existing alliance, and calls for resistance by all means, including force, according to Al Jazeera.

Goma, the main city of North Kivu province in eastern Congo, has been under M23-AFC control since January last year. Kabila's move puts a former head of state directly at the top of the rebellion. The conflict has displaced millions, and the Congolese government and international actors accuse Rwanda of backing M23, an allegation Kigali denies.

Separately, the United States and Qatar are pursuing diplomatic initiatives. Talks in Doha covered a ceasefire and the return of refugees, while Washington seeks a deal between Kinshasa and Kigali. FRN leader Freddy Kaniki said in a communique that the coalition would take over the AFC's commitments, including those made in Doha.

why it matters

For markets, the key question is whether a ceasefire holds and whether access to mineral resources in eastern Congo is disrupted. Escalation could add risk to cobalt, copper and gold output in the region and weigh on sentiment toward African frontier assets.

market impact

Copper and cobalt: escalating fighting raises the risk of output disruptions in eastern DRC

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