Congo’s former president Kabila forms new group to replace M23 insurgency

Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has launched a new political-military coalition to replace the AFC-M23 alliance fighting government forces in

eastern Congo, taking a more direct role in an insurgency he had previously stopped short of openly backing.



The new 'politico-military' group known as the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN) will be headed by Kabila, with rebel leaders Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Freddy Kaniki and Sultani Makenga serving as deputies, the group's adviser Claude Ibalanky announced at a press conference.



Congolese authorities have for months accused Kabila of supporting AFC/M23, which captured vast territories in eastern Congo during an offensive last year, but the former president had denied involvement.



In a speech on Friday, Kabila accused the government of corruption, poor governance and military setbacks in eastern Congo, and criticised its minerals deal with the United States.