Kabila leads new coalition with M23-linked figures

Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila is leading a newly announced political-military coalition that includes leaders of the M23-linked Congo River Alliance and opposes the government of President Félix Tshisekedi. The Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, or FRN, was presented Monday at a press conference in Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Coalition adviser Claude Ibalanky said the group intends to unite and coordinate resistance forces and end what he described as tyranny, including through the use of force. He said its signatories would pool their resources and create a framework for action. Those statements describe the coalition’s stated aims; the announcement did not establish what operational role it will have. The coalition’s announced leadership includes Kabila as head, with M23 figures Corneille Nangaa and Bertrand Bisimwa named as vice-presidents. Sultani Makenga was named chief of general staff, and Freddy Kaniki secretary-general. The government in Kinshasa had not immediately commented, according to the reports.