Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has signed a resolution in Nairobi establishing a new political platform called the “Movement Let’s Save the Democratic Republic of Congo”, signaling a bold return to the political arena amid deepening tensions with President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration.
The move follows weeks of speculation about Kabila’s political reorganization efforts, during which he has reportedly been engaging with leaders of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) and the M23 movement in discussions focused on the ongoing crisis in eastern DRC.
According to sources familiar with the Nairobi meeting, Kabila’s consultations with regional and political actors were aimed at exploring pathways toward peace, national reconciliation, and political realignment.
Kabila’s return to the spotlight comes as he faces mounting pressure from Kinshasa.
He was recently sentenced to death in absentia by the Tshisekedi government — a ruling his supporters have described as politically motivated and designed to silence one of the country’s most influential figures.
In his statement during the Nairobi meeting, Kabila said the new movement seeks to unite Congolese citizens, political groups, and civil society behind a shared mission of restoring stability, defending sovereignty, and safeguarding national unity amid what he called a period of political decay and insecurity.
The “Movement Let’s Save the Democratic Republic of Congo” is expected to serve as both a political and civic platform, drawing from Kabila’s long-established network within the Common Front for Congo (FCC), as well as engaging youth movements and reform-minded actors disillusioned by the current government.
Analysts see Kabila’s Nairobi initiative as part of a broader attempt to reorganize his political base and reposition himself as a central player in shaping the DRC’s political future, particularly as the country faces escalating conflict in its eastern regions and growing economic uncertainty.
Observers also note that his engagement with AFC and M23 leaders could significantly alter the regional political calculus, especially if the discussions in Nairobi lead to a coordinated strategy aimed at influencing peace and governance outcomes in the DRC.
The “Movement Let’s Save the Democratic Republic of Congo” is expected to unveil its leadership structure and policy agenda in the coming weeks, setting the stage for renewed political activity around one of the DRC’s most enduring and controversial former leaders.