Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has initiated discussions with opposition figures and civil society members regarding the country’s political direction, as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continue to seize territory in the east, sources familiar with the matter told.
The talks, which remain private, have raised concerns for current President Félix Tshisekedi, who is under scrutiny for his handling of the ongoing insurgency.
Strained Relations and Accusations
Kabila and Tshisekedi initially shared power after the contested 2018 election, but tensions grew as Tshisekedi gradually weakened his predecessor’s influence, accusing him of obstructing reforms. Their relationship further deteriorated last month when Tshisekedi, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, claimed Kabila had supported the M23 insurgency.
Kabila had remained silent on the allegations until February 23, when he published an op-ed in a South African newspaper, accusing Tshisekedi of constitutional violations, human rights abuses, and pushing the country toward civil war. Sources close to Kabila suggest he has been privately critical of Tshisekedi, with one insider stating, “The Tshisekedi regime is soon over.”
Unclear Political Transition Plans
While Kabila and his allies have discussed the possibility of a political transition, no concrete plan has been outlined, sources said.
In December, Kabila openly met in Addis Ababa with opposition leaders Moïse Katumbi and Claudel Lubaya. When asked about the recent developments, a spokesperson for Katumbi referred to previous statements criticizing Tshisekedi, while Lubaya told Reuters: “The sky is grey and the outcome uncertain for the country since Tshisekedi seems more concerned with retaining his power than with finding a solution.”