Also known as: former president Kabila · the younger Kabila
Former DR Congo president (2001–2019) who joined Rwanda-backed M23 to form politico-military outfit FRN, now leading rebel movement against incumbent Tshisekedi; sanctioned by US in 2026.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Joseph Kabila
Every mention in the Kenyan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Standard
Audio By VocalizeThe Democratic Republic of Congo's president has accused his predecessor Joseph Kabila, who has taken charge of a rebellion in the country's restive east, of being a Rwandan pawn. …
DR Congo president accuses ex-leader Kabila of being a Rwanda 'proxy'The Standard
Audio By VocalizeThe Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is on the brink of the precipice, with Former President Joseph Kabila now heading a rebel movement whose sole aim is to kick out President Felix Tshisekedi from power. …
DRC on the brink as Kabila-led rebel movement challenges Tshisekedi's governmentThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeThe DR Congo government on Friday accused former president Joseph Kabila of planning a "general attack" after he teamed up with Rwandan-backed armed group M23 to take on government forces. …
DR Congo says ex-president Kabila planning 'general attack'The Standard
Audio By VocalizeFormer DR Congo president Joseph Kabila on Monday joined forces with the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group to head a new outfit, taking a more direct role in the insurgency ravaging the country's volatile east. …
Former DR Congo president Kabila forms new force with M23 armed groupThe Standard
… The government has long opposed holding a national dialogue with certain opposition representatives that it accuses of colluding with the M23, in particular former president Kabila. …
Tshisekedi faces uncertain path to a third termCitizen Digital
… The government has long opposed holding a national dialogue with certain opposition representatives that it accuses of colluding with the M23, in particular former president Kabila. …
DR Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi faces uncertain path to a third termThe Standard
… Pressure from the street and the international community forced ex-president Joseph Kabila to ditch an attempt in 2015 to extend his rule beyond two mandates by changing the electoral law. …
DR Congo opposition builds against presidential third-term bidThe Standard
… Former president Joseph Kabila tried to remain in power beyond two terms by changing the electoral law in 2015. …
DR Congo president sets stage to stay in powerCitizen Digital
… Former president Joseph Kabila, who has been sentenced to death in absentia accused of supporting the M23 armed group, urged the Congolese to support all initiatives opposing constitutional change.
Opposition figures injured as DR Congo clashes at anti-govt rallyThe Standard
… Former DRC president Joseph Kabila is also facing sanctions, with Washington accusing him of providing financial and political support to M23 and AFC rebels.Rwandan leaders who have been sanctioned include some military officials, James Kabarebe, Lawrence Kanyuka, and the entire …
US sanctions M23, FDLR commanders over alleged atrocities in DRCDemocratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi accused his predecessor Joseph Kabila of being a Rwandan pawn after Kabila joined the Rwanda-backed M23 movement and took charge of a rebellion in the country's east. Kabila has formed a new political-military group, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, vowing to end "tyranny by any means, including force."
27 October 2026 · The Standard →
Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi accused his predecessor Joseph Kabila of being a Rwandan pawn after Kabila joined the Rwanda-backed M23 movement and took charge of a rebellion in the country's east. Kabila has formed a new political-military group, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, vowing to end "tyranny by any means, including force."
27 October 2026 · The Standard →
Former President Joseph Kabila, who returned from self-imposed exile in early 2025, is heading a rebel movement aimed at ousting President Felix Tshisekedi from power. The political tension follows the collapse of a power-sharing coalition between Kabila and Tshisekedi after the former handed over power in 2019.
21 October 2026 · The Standard →
The DR Congo government accused former president Joseph Kabila of planning a "general attack" after he joined the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group to form the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a new "politico-military" outfit. Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said Kabila "has decided to formalise his widespread attack against the Republic," while Kabila, who ruled from 2001 to 2019, has denied allegations that he initiated the M23's dissolved political wing.
17 October 2026 · The Standard →
Former DR Congo president Joseph Kabila has formed a new politico-military outfit called the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN) with the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group, which has controlled Goma since January 2025. Kabila, who ruled from 2001 to 2019, will head the new group with rebel leaders serving as deputies.
13 October 2026 · The Standard →
Democratic Republic of Congo's constitutional court approved a proposal allowing President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term after a referendum, despite the current constitution limiting him to two terms ending in 2028. The process would require a panel of experts, constituent assembly approval by three-fifths majority, and a public vote.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Democratic Republic of Congo's constitutional court approved a proposal that could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to run for a third term after a referendum. Tshisekedi, in power since 2019, is constitutionally required to step down at the end of his second five-year term in 2028, but has suggested he would accept a third term if people wanted him to.
29 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo has called demonstrations in the capital and other cities to demand the resignation of President Felix Tshisekedi, who they say is trying to change the constitution to enable a third term. Tshisekedi, who came to power in 2019, has stated he would accept a third term if the people wanted it, and parliament has adopted a bill for a constitutional referendum on which the Constitutional Court is now reviewing.
3 July 2026 · The Standard →
President Felix Tshisekedi is preparing to pass a law that could allow a third term by amending the constitution, with a bill for a referendum on constitutional reform already adopted by parliament. Tshisekedi's current second term ends in December 2028, and he says he will accept a third term if the people want it and it is approved through a referendum.
23 June 2026 · The Standard →
Two opposition figures were injured on Friday at a rally against government plans to change the constitution in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which was broken up by police after clashes with pro-government supporters. President Felix Tshisekedi, in power since 2019, has indicated he would accept a third term "if the people wish it" following a referendum on constitutional reform.
12 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The United States has imposed sanctions on M23 intelligence chief John Nzenze and FDLR commander Gustave Kubwayo over alleged human rights abuses, including sexual violence and attacks on civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The US said the measures target individuals linked to instability in the region.
3 June 2026 · The Standard →
DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi said he may seek a third term when his mandate expires in 2028 if the people approve via referendum, contravening the two-term constitutional limit. He also indicated that elections may not be held on schedule due to ongoing conflict in the east.
7 May 2026 · Capital News →
The United States sanctioned Democratic Republic of Congo ex-president Joseph Kabila on Thursday, accusing him of providing financial and political support to Rwanda-backed M23 rebels driving violence in the region. Kabila condemned the move as politically motivated and based on unsubstantiated accusations, while the DRC government welcomed the sanctions as a step against impunity.
2 May 2026 · The Standard →
The United States blacklisted former DR Congo president Joseph Kabila on Thursday, accusing him of providing financial and political support to M23 rebels in the country's east. Kabila called the sanctions "profoundly unjustified, politically motivated and based on unsubstantiated accusations," while the Kinshasa government welcomed the move as a step against impunity.
1 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The United States sanctioned former DR Congo President Joseph Kabila on Thursday, citing allegations that he assisted Rwandan-linked rebels who have seized parts of his country. The action follows a peace deal that President Trump announced in December after meeting both countries' leaders.
1 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The United States imposed sanctions on Joseph Kabila, former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, accusing him of providing financial and political support to Rwandan-linked rebels responsible for violence and instability in the region. The action follows a peace deal announced by President Trump in December.
30 April 2026 · The Standard →