The announcement was made on Monday morning via a statement shared on X by the movement’s coordinator, Corneille Nangaa, marking a significant political moment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Kabila’s return to the eastern city comes after an extended period abroad, primarily spent in South Africa and Zimbabwe, where he lived in forced exile.
According to AFC/M23, his decision to return via Goma is being seen as both symbolic and strategic.
“The return of this prominent political figure is warmly received. He made the right choice by coming back rather than remaining in forced exile,” the statement read.
AFC/M23 emphasised that Goma is currently the only part of the country free from political persecution, arbitrary arrests, hate speech, and tribal discrimination.
Since February, the movement claims Goma has hosted delegations from diverse backgrounds, including a joint mission from the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) and the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), which AFC/M23 says blessed the peace efforts under their control.
The group also positioned Goma as a safe haven for political actors who wish to operate freely.
“The gates of Goma—which are also the gates of Congo—are wide open to all compatriots who wish to carry out political activities in a republican spirit,” they said.
{{Katumbi’s reaction}}
Kabila’s return has also drawn sharp political reactions. Moïse Katumbi, a leading opposition figure and former Katanga governor, echoed the sentiments shared by Nangaa, through a pointed message posted on X.
“I stand with you, dear coordinator @CNangaa. What you said is true, painful, and powerful. Those who were supposed to lead the fight for justice and freedom have fallen short. They’ve forgotten why they once rose up,” Katumbi wrote.
He contrasted Kinshasa’s current leadership with the environment in Goma, saying, “While Kinshasa crushes, humiliates, insults, and divides, Goma welcomes, protects, and unites. Even Joseph Kabila is returning there. That alone shows how far Tshisekedi’s regime has pushed away all the values of the Republic.”
Katumbi ended his statement with a call for change: “Our only wish today is to remove Tshisekedi from power. Congo deserves better than this disguised dictatorship, this institutionalised tribalism, and this incompetence turned into a system. Thank you for saying out loud what so many are quietly thinking. The people will decide.”
Last week, DRC senators voted to lift Joseph Kabila’s immunity, paving the way for possible prosecution over alleged links to the M23 rebel group. The move followed the seizure of his assets by authorities who accused him of supporting the rebels.
The situation intensified amid reports that Kabila had visited Goma in April—claims he has firmly denied.
In an address to Congolese on May 23, 2025, Kabila clarified he had not been to Goma but plans to visit soon, dismissing the accusations as politically motivated and based on rumors.
He also noted that even if such a visit had occurred, it would have been in the spirit of dialogue with fellow Congolese, especially given the government’s ongoing peace talks with M23 leaders in Qatar.
The AFC/M23 claims to fight for the rights of marginalised communities, particularly Kinyarwanda-speaking groups long subjected to persecution in eastern Congo.
Following a major offensive, the group now controls key territories, including the cities of Bukavu and Goma, which it seized in January 2025.
Recent mediation efforts by the U.S. and Qatar led to talks between M23 and the Congolese government. However, tensions remain high, with Kinshasa reportedly committed to continued military action.
After the withdrawal of Romanian mercenaries defeated by M23, President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration is now said to be seeking new mercenaries from Colombia.
As Kabila’s reemergence and Katumbi’s defiance converge in the eastern region, the political climate in the DRC appears to be shifting, possibly setting the stage for deeper opposition alignment ahead of future national transitions.
