Joseph Kabila, the former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is reported to have arrived in Goma in the eastern part of the country. This news has once again disrupted the political boundaries of the government in this country.
The information was released by the media outlet Jeune Afrique, which confirmed that Kabila announced his return to the DRC.
Kabila told the publication that he is going back to his country after spending a whole year in exile and remaining silent for six years, although he has recently appeared more frequently in the media.
In his statement about his return to the country, he said: “The time has come for me to contribute to finding a solution. I am returning without hesitation, through the eastern part of our country.”
This has raised questions among many about whether Joseph Kabila’s return to the DRC could restore peace in the country or reignite conflict. Meanwhile, reports indicate that he has headed to the Goma area, which is secured by the M23 group opposing the Kinshasa government.
This is seen as increasing the atmosphere of fear for the Kinshasa government, which has already been challenged by the military of the M23 and the Twirwaneho group. The military groups united in the AFC coalition recently announced that they would take action to remove President Felix Tshisekedi from power.
Kabila led the DRC from 2001 to 2019, known for having governed the country in a not entirely bad manner, as some referred to him as a savior, although others criticized his leadership, accusing him of clinging to power.
Similarly, Kabila did not clarify to the media what urgent actions he would take upon returning to the country.
However, he stated that he was tired of seeing the country fall apart, claiming he would not stop contributing to it.
He said: “I cannot continue to watch my country collapse. This is the way to engage with the issue, not to avoid it.”
Felix Tshisekedi, who currently leads the DRC, has long been at odds with Kabila’s supporters, and he has attempted to dismantle the remnants of Kabila’s system during his presidency.
Kabila’s return could change much in the operations of his party, PPRD, but it is not only the coalition that could be destabilized; there are concerns that it could also lead to unrest within the military and in general governance.
It is still unclear whether Kabila is returning with a specific plan to seek leadership or if he intends to collaborate with others to address the issues facing the country.
However, there are reports confirming that among the soldiers still in the government, there are those who support him, including some with high ranks.
Some believe that the return of Joseph Kabila could bring significant changes to the governance of this country.
This is happening at a time when security continues to deteriorate, and in the eastern part of this country, the effects of war have had a profound impact on the population, where many are facing hunger, persistent displacement, parents being separated from their children, and many other issues
