The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) rebel movement has hailed the return of former Congolese President Joseph Kabila to Goma on Monday, May 26, following the recent lifting of his parliamentary immunity.
The movement views his arrival as a “good choice” in response to what it describes as “forced exile,” and welcomes the former president to an area it presents as free from persecution.
Corneille Nangaa, political coordinator of the AFC/M23, officially welcomed the return of Joseph Kabila Kabange, former Congolese president and senator for life. Nangaa characterized Kabila’s decision as “the right choice” in the face of what he terms “forced exile,” days after the Congolese Senate voted to lift Kabila’s parliamentary immunity, opening the door to potential prosecution for treason and war crimes. On May 23, Kabila had publicly denounced the “authoritarian drift” of Felix Tshisekedi’s regime and announced his intention to visit Goma, expressing a desire to contribute to resolving the crisis in the eastern part of the country.
“The return home of this major political figure is welcomed. He made the right choice, rather than remaining in forced exile,” Nangaa stated in an official release. He further asserted that Joseph Kabila is “welcome in the only part of the country where arbitrariness, political persecution, tribalism, and hate speech do not exist.”
The AFC/M23, a political-military coalition that controls several localities in North Kivu province, claims to have established a secure environment in the region. “Since last February, several delegations and figures from all walks of life have passed through Goma. They were able to see the work done by the Congo River Alliance to restore the security of people and their property,” Corneille Nangaa emphasized.
He also referenced visits by religious leaders, including a joint delegation from the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) and the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), which, he stated, “blessed peace efforts” in the region.
Nangaa concluded his message by declaring, “The martyred gates of Goma, which are those of Congo, are wide open to welcome all compatriots wishing to find a welcoming land where they can freely exercise their political activities,” and called for “advancing the cause of Congo” against “dictatorship and divisions.”
The Congolese government, which continues to regard the M23 as a rebel movement supported by Rwanda, has yet to issue a response to Kabila’s arrival. Joseph Kabila, who served as President of the Republic from 2001 to 2019, has not yet made any public statements since his installation in Goma.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA