Joseph Kabila plans return to DRC amid crisis

Former Congolese president Joseph Kabila has announced his intention to return to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amidst an escalating crisis in the eastern region, where M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, have seized significant territory. Kabila, who previously served from 2001 to 2019, has been in exile since 2023, citing the urgent need to contribute to resolving the dire security situation that has led to thousands of deaths and mass displacements. The planned peace talks between the DRC and Rwanda, initially set for April 9, have been postponed without a new date. Kabila's return is expected to stir controversy, as President Felix Tshisekedi has publicly accused him of supporting the rebels, a claim Kabila has denied. The former president is reaching out to opposition leaders and civil society to discuss the nation's political future. Kabila's return marks a significant development in the ongoing turmoil in the DRC as tensions between him and Tshisekedi continue to mount.