Congo tensions rise as Kabila reappears in M23 territory

Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has made his first public appearance since 2023 in rebel-controlled Goma, raising tensions with the government in Kinshasa, which has accused him of backing the insurgency in eastern Congo.

Kabila, who has spent most of the past year in South Africa, is wanted in Congo for alleged crimes against humanity linked to support for the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who have expanded their control in the east since January.

Authorities have also moved to suspend his political party and seize the assets of its leaders.

The former president denies having any ties to M23. He has said for weeks he was planning to return to the country to help seek a solution to the ongoing conflict.

On Thursday, Kabila met religious leaders at his residence in Kinyogote, west of Goma. Reporters were not allowed to film the meeting.

"The former president... called us to express his wish to see peace return to the eastern part of the country and throughout the country," said Joel Amurani, president of the Interfaith Synergy for Peace and Mediation, who attended the meeting.

Kabila wore a grey jacket and a blue shirt but did not speak to the press.

A close aide said the meetings were meant to understand the region’s security challenges and that further talks would be held on Friday with political, military, administrative and civil society leaders.

It is not clear how long Kabila plans to stay in M23-held areas.

President Felix Tshisekedi’s government accused Kabila this week of “positioning himself as the rebel leader” alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

The United Nations and Western governments say Rwanda has supplied weapons and troops to M23. Rwanda denies this, saying its forces only acted in self-defence against the Congolese army and a militia formed by those behind the 1994 genocide.

Kabila’s return could complicate peace efforts led by the United States. Trump adviser Massad Boulos recently told Reuters that a Congo-Rwanda peace deal could be signed this summer, alongside minerals agreements expected to draw major Western investment into the region.