Rebel Talks or Power Play? Ex-President Kabila’s Goma Visit Sparks Controversy

Former Congolese president Joseph Kabila has resurfaced in Goma—now under the control of the M23 rebel group—to consult with locals amid accusations of his ties to the insurgency. His return comes a month after he expressed his desire to help resolve the conflict in eastern Congo. Though Kabila has denied backing M23, his return, shortly after a Senate vote to lift his immunity, has raised eyebrows. His immunity was revoked after the Congolese government accused him of supporting the Rwanda-backed rebels. In response, Kabila accused President Felix Tshisekedi’s government of weaponizing Congo’s justice system against him. If Kabila is indeed in Goma, his presence risks disrupting US-backed peace efforts tied to lucrative minerals in the volatile region.

Reuters