The March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC) has announced the dissolution of its coalition under the existing name and the formation of a new political-military movement, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), with former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila Kabange named as its president.
In a statement released on Thursday morning, the group’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, said the FRN was established on October 12, 2026, with several senior M23/AFC officials appointed to leadership positions.
Under the new structure, Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa and Freddy Kaniki have been appointed vice presidents, while the group’s military commander, General Emmanuel Sultani Makenga, has been named Chief of General Staff, responsible for commanding its fighters.
Benjamin Mbonimpa was appointed Deputy Secretary-General, while Désiré Rukomera was named Permanent Secretary of the Founding College.
Kanyuka said the formation of the FRN formally marks the dissolution of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), with the new movement assuming its predecessor’s rights, obligations and commitments, particularly those arising from the Doha negotiations.
“It is hereby brought to the attention of the national and international public that, on October 12, 2026, a political-military movement known as the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) was established,” the statement reads.
The statement added that the signing of the founding act and the official launch of the FRN marked the dissolution of the AFC, which the new movement succeeds in law.
The reorganisation comes amid continued fighting in eastern DRC, where armed conflict has fuelled insecurity and displaced civilians in parts of North and South Kivu provinces, despite ongoing regional and international efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire.
The Congolese government had not issued an official response by Thursday morning to the formation of the FRN or Kabila’s appointment as its president.
However, on Wednesday, President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi chaired a meeting of the Supreme Defence Council to assess the security situation across the country.
The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence and Veterans Affairs, as well as heads of defence and security services.
During the meeting, Lieutenant-General Jules Banza Mwilambwe, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), presented an assessment of military operations across the country.
After the meeting, FARDC spokesperson Major General Sylvain Ekenge said Tshisekedi, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief, had issued instructions to the armed forces and security services to defend the country’s territorial integrity and protect civilians and their property.
Meanwhile, fighters associated with the newly announced FRN and their allies reportedly exchanged gunfire with FARDC troops and allied forces on Thursday morning in Musimba/Shovu, Ufamandu Groupement, Masisi Territory, North Kivu Province.
The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23/AFC rebellion, allegations that Kigali and the rebel movement have denied.
The FRN says its armed campaign is intended to address what it describes as corruption, discrimination and other grievances within the Congolese government.
It remains unclear how the reorganisation will affect the ongoing peace efforts, including commitments made under the Doha negotiations, as fighting continues to threaten stability and civilian safety in eastern DRC.
