Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has unveiled a new initiative aimed at rescuing his nation from what he describes as a deepening crisis under President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration. This announcement followed a two-day meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, where Kabila convened with other opposition leaders to strategize against what they termed the “dictatorship” of Tshisekedi. The gathering, attended by prominent figures including former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo, resulted in a 14-point declaration signed by leaders of 12 opposition groups, urging Congolese citizens to unite and take action to restore dignity and democracy. The declaration criticized the government’s rejection of inclusive dialogue, poor economic governance, and the arbitrary detention of political opponents. Kabila, who was recently sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes and treason, dismissed the charges as politically motivated. His appearance in Nairobi marked the first public sighting since May, when he was reportedly in the M23 rebel-held city of Goma. The meeting coincided with the DRC government’s signing of a ceasefire monitoring agreement with the M23 rebels in Doha, highlighting the ongoing instability in the region. The Congolese government dismissed the Nairobi meeting as insignificant, labeling it a gathering of ‘fugitives and convicts.’ Meanwhile, Kabila and his allies vowed to launch a diplomatic offensive to alert the international community to the crisis in DRC, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention to address the country’s political and economic challenges.
Convicted ex-president Kabila rallies opposition to ‘save’ DR Congo from crisis
