In a development that signals a shifting political tide in the Democratic Republic of Congo, former Director General of OGEFREM, Patient Sayiba, has appeared in Goma alongside former President Joseph Kabila, joined by other prominent figures.
The moment is being viewed by many as a symbol of growing momentum and legitimacy for the M23-AFC movement, which continues to reshape the political dynamics in eastern Congo.
According to sources in Kinshasa, Sayiba’s alignment with the broader M23-AFC bloc had been suspected for months, but his public appearance with Kabila in Goma now marks a bold affirmation of support.
Sayiba had previously dismissed allegations of involvement with M23, but his presence among key figures close to the movement is being seen as a vote of confidence in its political vision and a strategic blow to the Tshisekedi regime.
Observers in the region note that M23 is steadily gaining both popular and elite backing, not only in eastern Congo but increasingly across national political structures.
Its calls for reforms, regional stability, and better governance have begun to resonate beyond its traditional strongholds.
“This is not just a military front—it’s becoming a political force,” said one local analyst in Goma. “With figures like Sayiba and the tacit endorsement of Joseph Kabila, M23 is gaining a level of credibility that Kinshasa can no longer ignore.”
Kabila’s presence in Goma—his first major public reappearance in the east in months—has also fueled speculation of a potential political recalibration ahead of future national power plays.
As discontent grows with the current administration’s handling of security and economic issues, M23’s appeal appears to be broadening from the battlefield to the ballot box.
With this shift, the narrative around M23 is rapidly evolving. Once painted solely as a rebel force, the movement is now emerging as a legitimate political alternative, championing local grievances and attracting support from within the country’s elite ranks.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on Goma—where the presence of Sayiba, Kabila, and others may be marking the dawn of a new political chapter in the Democratic Republic of Congo.