Speaking in an interview with journalist Hubert Leclercq of Le Libre on March 20, 2026, at his residence in Goma in North Kivu Province, Kabila said the current administration must be opposed through collective civic action.
“I said it in May last year—we must stop this authoritarian regime that has taken power. To achieve this, we must join forces and conduct awareness campaigns among all Congolese, whether those in exile or those inside the country.”
Kabila has been based in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo since May 2025. Authorities in Kinshasa have accused him of collaborating with the AFC/M23 coalition, which controls Goma and parts of eastern Congo, allegations he denies. He has been sentenced to death in absentia over the claims.
Explaining his presence in Goma, Kabila said the city is his home, noting that he owns a residence there purchased in 1999. He added that the attacks against him and his political network began in 2019, before the emergence of AFC/M23. He further stated that he has the right to engage with all Congolese citizens in pursuit of dialogue, national cohesion, and peace.
Kabila also accused Kinshasa forces of targeting him following a March 11, 2026, drone strike carried out by government forces, which is said to have been aimed at him and senior AFC/M23 figures, including Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Freddy Kaniki, and Maj. Gen. Sultani Makenga.
He further accused government forces of ongoing attacks against civilians in eastern DRC, including in Masisi and Minembwe in South Kivu Province, alleging the use of drones and other heavy weaponry.
On constitutional matters, Kabila argued that the Tshisekedi administration has not adhered to the rule of law and is seeking to amend the Constitution to extend beyond the two-term presidential limit. He described such a move as harmful to the country.
He said any effort to challenge the government should be grounded in Article 64 of the Constitution, which he interpreted as obliging citizens to resist individuals or groups acting in violation of the law.
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