Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila returned to the country on Thursday, days after losing his immunity, and met with religious leaders in the rebel-controlled city of Goma. His appearance comes amid accusations that he has supported the Rwanda-backed M23 militia, which has seized large swaths of territory in the resource-rich eastern DRC.
Kabila, who ruled the DRC for 18 years before stepping down in 2019, was seen meeting local religious figures alongside M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, according to AFP journalists. Though he made no public statement, sources close to him told Reuters that he also held talks with local leaders.
The visit marks Kabila’s first public appearance since 2023, when he went into self-imposed exile. His return follows a Senate vote earlier this month stripping him of immunity, opening the door for a potential treason trial. The government accuses him of backing M23 rebels, who have been accused by the UN and Kinshasa of receiving military support from Rwanda—a claim Kigali denies.
Kabila has dismissed the allegations as "arbitrary decisions with disconcerting levity." An aide told AFP that while no formal alliance exists between Kabila’s party and M23, both share the goal of ending President Félix Tshisekedi’s rule.
The resurgence of violence in eastern DRC has displaced roughly 700,000 people this year, according to the UN. Amnesty International this week accused M23 of committing abuses—including torture, killings, and enforced disappearances—that may constitute war crimes.
Kabila’s return could further complicate efforts to broker peace. The US has proposed a DRC-Rwanda agreement linked to a multibillion-dollar minerals deal, but his presence in rebel-held territory may undermine negotiations.
Kabila, who took power after his father’s assassination in 2001, oversaw a tenure marred by corruption allegations. His delayed exit in 2019—after a violent election postponement—marked the DRC’s first peaceful transition since independence. Now, his reemergence risks reigniting old tensions as the country faces renewed conflict.