Joseph Kabila Heads New Political-Military Front With M23 Leaders in Congo

Former Congolese president Joseph Kabila heads the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a political-military formation unveiled at his residence in Goma on October 12 with M23 rebel leaders. Its declaration says the FRN succeeds and ends the Congo River Alliance (AFC), while leaving M23's separate organizational status unspecified. Corneille Nangaa and Bertrand Bisimwa were named vice presidents, and Emmanuel Sultani Makenga was named army chief with vice-presidential rank. The movement says it seeks to unite resistance against the government and contemplates using force, but announced no operational timetable or specific offensive.