Ex-DRC President Kabila’s alliance with M23 rebels: Why it matters

What happened: Former DRC President Joseph Kabila launched a new political-military coalition, the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN), from Goma, allying with M23 rebels and replacing the M23-AFC alliance. Key numbers: Kabila, 55, took office in 2001; sentenced to death in October by a Kinshasa military court; M23 crisis has lasted nearly 15 years; UN reports 7.8 million displaced and 28 million facing food Why it matters: Congolese fear the conflict could escalate again and that soldiers may defect to serve Kabila. There are also fears ongoing peace talks could collapse.

Former DRC President Joseph Kabila launched a new political-military coalition, the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN), from Goma, allying with M23 rebels and replacing the M23-AFC alliance.

Congolese fear the conflict could escalate again and that soldiers may defect to serve Kabila. There are also fears ongoing peace talks could collapse.