Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have suspended the political party of former President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of subversive activities and ties to armed rebel groups destabilizing the country.
The suspension was announced by the country’s interior ministry in a statement dated Saturday. According to the statement, the move was triggered by the “overt activism” of Kabila, who ruled DR Congo for 18 years, from 2001 to 2019.
His party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), has been banned from operating anywhere in the country until further notice.
The government’s decision comes just days after security operatives raided properties linked to Kabila, including a large farm east of Kinshasa and a family compound in the capital.
President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration has accused Kabila of plotting an insurrection and backing a coalition that includes the notorious M23 rebel group, which has been fighting Congolese government forces in the troubled eastern region of the country.
The interior ministry described Kabila’s actions and silence on the conflict as “ambiguous” and “complicit,” claiming that his party has failed to denounce the violence carried out by M23.
“The PPRD has kept a guilty, or even complicit silence, regarding the Rwandan war of aggression,” the ministry’s statement read, referencing the widely held belief in Kinshasa and among international observers that neighbouring Rwanda is backing the M23 group.
Although Rwanda denies any involvement, multiple reports by the United Nations and international powers suggest otherwise.
M23 fighters have recently captured key towns in the eastern part of the DRC, including the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu, leading to a rise in tensions and fresh waves of displacement in the region.
Joseph Kabila, now 53 years old, had reportedly left the country before the last presidential election in 2023. However, earlier this month, his staff announced that he intended to return to DR Congo, claiming that the country was “in peril.”
While his exact whereabouts remain unclear, there are unconfirmed reports that he may have entered the country through Goma—a city currently under threat by M23 fighters.
This detail has further raised suspicion in government circles, as officials questioned why the former president would choose to return through a rebel-held area instead of the capital.
“The deliberate choice of Kabila to enter through Goma, under the control of the enemy, is a serious concern,” the ministry said.
The justice ministry has also weighed in on the matter. In a separate statement, it said the chief prosecutor has been directed to initiate legal proceedings against Kabila for his “direct participation” in activities related to M23.
So far, there has been no official reaction from the PPRD or from Kabila’s representatives regarding the suspension of the party.
The former president has maintained a low public profile since leaving office, despite retaining considerable political influence through his loyalists in the military and parliament.
However, this latest move by the government marks a major escalation in the political battle between Tshisekedi and his predecessor.
Joseph Kabila came to power in 2001 following the assassination of his father, President Laurent Kabila. He governed until 2019, overseeing a country plagued by corruption, armed conflict, and poverty.
Although he eventually stepped down after the 2018 elections, he played a key role in the political transition that brought Félix Tshisekedi to power. For a while, the two men appeared to maintain an uneasy alliance, with Kabila’s coalition holding a majority in parliament.
But their alliance eventually broke down, and since then, President Tshisekedi has moved to consolidate power, gradually removing Kabila loyalists from key positions in government and security agencies.
The recent suspension of the PPRD suggests a further breakdown of political ties and a shift toward open confrontation.
The developments in DR Congo are being closely monitored by the international community, particularly as the country prepares for broader reforms and deals with an ongoing humanitarian crisis in the east.
The resurgence of the M23 rebel group has drawn condemnation from various international bodies, including the African Union and the United Nations.
According to the UN, over 1 million people have been displaced in eastern DRC due to recent fighting, with many seeking shelter in makeshift camps under poor conditions.
If Kabila is found to have direct links to the group, it could further complicate peace efforts and draw regional players deeper into the conflict.
Despite the growing tensions, some political observers and civil society groups in DR Congo are calling for dialogue and restraint.
They warn that the escalating conflict between the current administration and Kabila’s supporters could destabilize the already fragile political environment in the country.
“There must be room for peaceful political expression, even when there are serious disagreements,” said one human rights advocate in Kinshasa. “Banning opposition parties should be a last resort, not the first response.”
However, the government insists that national security must come first, especially in light of the threats posed by armed groups and foreign interference.
As legal proceedings against Kabila loom and his party remains suspended, the political future of one of DR Congo’s most influential figures is now uncertain.
If charges are filed and proven in court, it could permanently sideline Kabila from Congolese politics and mark a turning point in Tshisekedi’s efforts to stamp out political opposition and restore order in the country.
