Eastern Congolese civil society groups back Kabila’s movement
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Kivumorningpost
Civil society organisations in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have announced their support for the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, a politico-military movement led by former president Joseph Kabila. In a statement published on 20 October 2026, they denounced insecurity and hardship in several provinces, according to their communiqué.
Civil society organisations in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo announced on Tuesday 20 October their support for the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), the politico-military movement led by former president Joseph Kabila. They bring together civic groups from Katanga, Ituri, Maniema, North Kivu and South Kivu, according to their statement.
The organisations say people in the east live in constant insecurity and cite, in particular, drone strikes, prison conditions and Ebola and cholera epidemics. They also accuse the authorities of discrimination, embezzlement and mismanaging the response to Ebola.
The statement describes Joseph Kabila’s creation of the FRN as a “last resort” after years of alleged political persecution, including legal proceedings, a death sentence and restrictions targeting his camp. The support comes after the movement was rejected by the Congolese presidential camp on 15 October and by the RCD/K-ML on the same day, followed by support from Nande notables on 18 October and the Kumu community on 19 October. These positions add to Tshopo civil society’s call to oppose the FRN.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
