Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has returned to his homeland amid serious treason allegations, entering through a militia-controlled city instead of the capital where he could face prosecution.
At a Glance
- Joseph Kabila has returned to DRC after years of self-imposed exile as the Senate votes to prosecute him for treason
- Kabila is accused of supporting the Rwanda-backed M23 militia that has captured significant territory in eastern Congo
- Instead of entering through the capital Kinshasa, Kabila arrived in Goma, a city controlled by M23 rebels where he received a warm welcome
- His return complicates U.S. efforts to broker peace between Rwanda and Congo and negotiate crucial mineral deals
- Tensions between Kabila and current President Felix Tshisekedi have escalated, with Kabila recently calling his successor a “dictator”
Strategic Return Amid Serious Allegations
Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has made a dramatic return to his homeland after years in self-imposed exile. His arrival comes at a particularly tense moment, just days after the Congolese Senate accused him of treason and voted to prosecute him. The serious allegations center on claims that Kabila has been supporting the M23 militia, a Rwanda-backed armed group that has captured significant territory in eastern Congo, including the strategic city of Goma where Kabila chose to enter the country.
By entering through Goma rather than the capital Kinshasa, Kabila has effectively placed himself beyond the reach of the central government. The city remains under the influence of M23 rebels, providing Kabila a safe haven from potential arrest on treason charges. His calculated move demonstrates his continued political savvy and suggests he maintains significant influence in parts of the country despite being out of office since 2019.
Complications for Regional Peace Efforts
Kabila’s return couldn’t come at a more sensitive time for international diplomacy in the region. The United States has been actively working to broker peace between Rwanda and Congo while simultaneously negotiating crucial mineral deals with both nations. The DRC holds vast reserves of cobalt, copper, and other minerals essential to global technology supply chains, making stability in the region a matter of international economic importance.
“The reason for his return is clear: to participate in the search of a peaceful settlement of the Congolese crisis.”, said Barnabé Kikayi Bin Karubi.
Despite his spokesman’s claim that Kabila has returned to help resolve the crisis peacefully, his presence threatens to further destabilize the already fragile situation. The warm welcome he received from M23’s political leader, Corneille Nangaa, only reinforces suspicions about his connections to the rebel group. Nangaa previously headed the electoral commission that declared Tshisekedi president in the contested 2018 election, adding another layer of complexity to the political relationships at play.
On April 19, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government released a significant statement implicating former President Joseph Kabila in serious allegations. The Justice Minister, Constant Mutamba, directed the judiciary to initiate legal proceedings against Kabila for… pic.twitter.com/ghtcmNK0bL
— Patrick Rules (@rulelikepatrick) April 20, 2025
Strained Relations with President Tshisekedi
The relationship between Kabila and current President Felix Tshisekedi has deteriorated significantly since their initial power-sharing arrangement following the 2018 election. In that controversial vote, Kabila’s chosen successor lost, but amid fraud allegations, Tshisekedi was declared winner and entered into a coalition government with Kabila’s party. That arrangement ended when Tshisekedi claimed it was hindering his reform agenda, marking the beginning of open hostility between the two leaders.
“In a video address posted on his social media last week, Mr. Kabila accused his successor, President Felix Tshisekedi, of being a dictator.”, said Mr. Kabila.
Kabila’s recent interest in re-entering Congolese politics, coupled with his inflammatory rhetoric against Tshisekedi, signals his intention to remain a significant force in the nation’s political landscape. By positioning himself in rebel-held territory while maintaining connections to powerful political figures, Kabila appears to be establishing an alternative power base that could challenge the central government’s authority and complicate efforts to restore stability to the resource-rich but conflict-plagued nation.
