The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has suspended all activities of former president Joseph Kabila’s political party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), amid accusations of collaboration with the M23 rebel group. The decision was announced in a statement by the Ministry of the Interior on Saturday, which cited the party’s “ambiguous attitude” toward rebel control of Congolese territory as the reason for the ban.
Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019 following the assassination of his father, Laurent Kabila, had recently announced plans to return from a two-year stay in South Africa. According to government sources, he arrived in Goma, a city in eastern DRC currently held by M23 forces. Officials assert that rebel groups coordinated his return, escalating concerns about his intentions amidst ongoing peace talks.
The Congolese government also accused Kabila of high treason and ordered the seizure of his property. The charges relate to alleged support for an alliance involving M23 and other factions opposed to the government. While Kabila has previously denied any connection to M23, he has not issued a public response to the latest accusations. His spokesperson, Barbara Nzimbi, stated on social media that Kabila would soon address the nation.
President Félix Tshisekedi, who succeeded Kabila in 2019 after a disputed election, had already accused the former leader of plotting an insurrection with rebel groups. Their alliance ended in 2020, and Kabila left the country in 2023 to pursue doctoral studies in South Africa. His thesis, which focused on African geopolitics with the U.S., China, and Russia, was recently approved by the University of Johannesburg.
Kabila had stated earlier this month that his return was motivated by a desire to help resolve what he described as a deteriorating security and institutional crisis in the country. He said he hoped to “play a role in seeking a solution after six years of complete retreat.”
As of now, the PPRD has not commented on the suspension, and M23 representatives have neither confirmed nor denied Kabila’s presence in Goma.
