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DR Congo Government Bans Joseph Kabila’s Party Amid Rebel Accusations
KINSHASA – The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has proscribed the political party of former President Joseph Kabila, alleging links to the M23 rebel group. This action comes as the M23 has reportedly seized significant territory in the eastern part of the country this year, escalating tensions and political instability. The ban on Kabila’s PPRD party arrives amidst unconfirmed reports of his return to DR Congo after a two-year stay in South Africa.
Kabila’s Return and Government Response
Sources indicate that Joseph Kabila purportedly returned to Goma, a city reportedly taken by the M23 rebels, who are alleged to have Rwandan backing, in January. Kabila, who governed DR Congo for 18 years following his father Laurent-Désiré Kabila’s assassination in 2001, was 29 when he assumed office.
Official Statement and Accusations
A statement from the interior ministry declared a complete prohibition on all activities of Kabila’s PPRD party. The ministry cited the party’s “ambiguous attitude” regarding the M23’s occupation of Congolese land as the rationale behind the ban. Furthermore, the statement criticized Kabila’s decision to return to Goma, suggesting he was seeking refuge with “the enemy.”
The PPRD has yet to issue a public response to the ban.
Earlier, on Friday, government officials accused Kabila, 53, of high treason and mandated the confiscation of all his assets.
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Joseph Kabila has consistently refuted any connections to the M23 insurgency. He has not yet commented on the recent governmental actions or verified his reported return to DR Congo. However, earlier this month, he had indicated his intention to return to the nation. Senior figures within the PPRD have denied Kabila’s current presence in Goma.
On Saturday, Barbara Nzimbi, Kabila’s spokesperson, announced via social media platform X that Kabila was planning to address the nation within the next few days.
When questioned by BBC Great Lakes, the M23 spokesperson neither affirmed nor denied Kabila’s presence in Goma, stating, “I don’t see any problem with him being here.”
Joseph Kabila’s Political History
Following his inauguration as president after his father’s death, Kabila secured two presidential election victories. Although his second and final elected term officially concluded in December 2016, he initially refused to relinquish power, citing the impracticality of organizing elections, which triggered widespread and deadly demonstrations.
He remained in office for an additional two years until elections were eventually conducted in 2018.
In January 2019, Kabila transferred power to Félix Tshisekedi, the declared winner of a contested election. Many election monitors contended that Martin Fayulu was the legitimate victor.
Fayulu alleged that Kabila and Tshisekedi had colluded to exclude him from power – allegations both individuals have denied.
Subsequently, relations between Kabila and Tshisekedi deteriorated, culminating in the formal dissolution of their parties’ coalition in December 2020.
Kabila departed DR Congo in 2023, officially to pursue studies in South Africa.
In January 2024, he successfully defended his doctoral dissertation at the University of Johannesburg, focusing on the geopolitics of African relations with the US, China, and Russia.
Motivations Behind Kabila’s Return
In a written declaration announcing his impending return, Kabila asserted that his motivation stemmed from a desire to contribute to resolving the deepening institutional and security crisis in DR Congo.
He also conveyed to the French-language publication Jeune Afrique his aspiration to “play a role in seeking a solution after six years of complete retreat and one year in exile.”
However, Ben Radley, a political economist and lecturer at Bath University, pointed out that Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the political alliance encompassing the M23, previously served as the head of the electoral commission under Kabila and was considered a “close confidant.”
“Furthermore, the historical parallel with his father Laurent Kabila, who also entered Congo from the east in the late 1990s preceding his eventual ascent to the presidency, is also a significant consideration for many Congolese,” he remarked to the BBC.