Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has returned to the country after years in political exile, arriving in the eastern city of Goma amid rising political and security tensions.
Kabila’s arrival was confirmed on Monday by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which currently controls Goma, the capital of Nord Kivu province. “The former president of the DRC, Joseph Kabila, has arrived in the city of Goma. We wish him a pleasant stay in the liberated areas,” M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
His return has stirred mixed reactions among Goma residents. Some, like Filicien Kasole, expressed skepticism: “We don’t know whether Kabila’s arrival will change anything, especially because nothing had changed when he was president.” Others, like Ishara Ecclésiaste, took a more welcoming stance, acknowledging his mixed legacy: “He has been president for 18 years, and we have seen few results, some of them positive and others negative. For that, I welcome him for the development of the country.”
Kabila’s reappearance comes at a tense moment. President Félix Tshisekedi has long accused his predecessor of backing rebel groups like M23 and the Congo River Alliance. Some locals, like motorbike taxi driver Éric Pautian, hope Kabila’s return signals a change. “If he has come to a place where there is fighting, maybe he has come to unite with us… Maybe his presence can change things and put an end to the conflict,” he said.
Just days before his return, Kabila released a rare 45-minute video address on YouTube, criticizing the current government and announcing his plan to visit Goma. His reemergence, analysts say, may mark the beginning of a new political chapter.
Independent political analyst Hubert Masomeko described the move as “a political counterattack,” noting, “Kabila is an unfathomable and impenetrable politician. Time will reveal more about his intentions.”
Though Kabila holds the title of senator for life, his legal protection has recently been stripped. Last Thursday, the Senate lifted his parliamentary immunity, opening the door for possible prosecution. The DRC’s military high court has accused him of involvement in an insurrection, treason, and complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Kabila’s return raises new uncertainties for the DRC as it grapples with deepening unrest and political division.
