Felix Tshisekedi accuses Joseph Kabila of being a Rwandan proxy

President Felix Tshisekedi has publicly accused his predecessor, Joseph Kabila, of treasonous collaboration with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Speaking during a period of escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) eastern provinces, Tshisekedi described Kabila as a "pawn" of Rwandan President Paul Kagame. This direct accusation marks a significant escalation in the political rivalry between the current administration and the former leader, who governed the mineral-rich nation from 2001 to 2019.

The allegations center on Kabila’s reported involvement with the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a new opposition coalition that has allegedly aligned itself with the M23 movement. The M23, which rearmed in late 2021, has since seized significant territory in North Kivu province, causing widespread displacement and regional instability. Tshisekedi condemned Kabila’s return to political activity through this new alliance, characterizing the move as both desperate and cowardly. The president asserted that Kabila is being manipulated by foreign interests to destabilize the nation from within.

These accusations emerge against a backdrop of continued military clashes in the eastern DRC, despite a fragile truce brokered in December. While the government focuses on the insurgent threat, the political climate in Kinshasa remains volatile due to ongoing friction over the country's leadership. Tshisekedi is currently facing scrutiny and protests from the opposition over potential efforts to revise the constitution and extend presidential term limits, adding another layer of complexity to the country's internal security and political landscape.