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The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended the political party of former President Joseph Kabila, accusing it of collaborating with the notorious M23 rebel group.
The suspension of the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), once a dominant force in Congolese politics, was confirmed Thursday following allegations that some of its senior members provided logistical and financial support to M23 fighters. The rebel group has been blamed for renewed violence in eastern DRC, particularly in North Kivu province, where clashes with government troops have displaced thousands.
Authorities have moved swiftly—freezing the party’s assets, including bank accounts, luxury vehicles, and buildings believed to have been used to aid rebel activities. In a statement, the Ministry of Justice said the investigation is still ongoing, but early findings suggest “serious breaches of national security” linked to high-ranking PPRD officials.
“This is no longer just politics. When a political entity begins to undermine national stability by aiding armed groups, it ceases to operate within the democratic space,” said a government spokesperson during a press briefing in Kinshasa.
The former president, Joseph Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 until 2019, has yet to respond publicly to the accusations. He recently returned to the country after a period abroad and was seen in Goma—an area currently under partial control of M23 rebels—raising eyebrows and fueling speculation about his political intentions.
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Supporters of Kabila and his party have condemned the move, calling it a politically motivated crackdown on dissent. Ferdinand Kambere, PPRD’s secretary-general, called the allegations “a smokescreen,” aimed at silencing opposition voices ahead of anticipated electoral reforms.
“This is an unconstitutional attack on our party. We are being scapegoated for a crisis that demands real leadership and dialogue, not repression,” Kambere said in a statement released to local media.
The M23 group, which first emerged over a decade ago, has been accused by the United Nations and human rights organizations of committing atrocities, including the killing of civilians and sexual violence. Its resurgence has plunged eastern DRC into renewed instability.
President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration has pledged to dismantle all rebel networks operating within the country and has warned of tough legal consequences for any domestic actors found to be aiding them.
