Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has been named leader of a new rebel coalition seeking to oust the government, the BBC, Al Jazeera and DW reported.

The coalition, called the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, was announced on Monday at Kabila's home in Goma. The city in eastern Congo has been held by the M23 rebel group since early 2025. The group said it aimed to end "tyranny" in the Democratic Republic of Congo by "all means, including force," the BBC reported.

Leaders from the M23 movement will serve under Kabila. They include Corneille Nangaa, a former head of the rebel alliance, and M23 military commander Sultani Makenga, DW reported.

It is the clearest sign yet of Kabila's direct role in an armed movement, the BBC reported. A military court sentenced him to death in absentia last year for treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity. He had denied links to M23 and called the case politically motivated, DW reported. Congo's government did not immediately comment.

Kabila ruled Congo from 2001 to 2019. He later fell out with the man who took over, President Felix Tshisekedi.

Analysts warn the move could bring more fighting. "We will likely witness an escalation on the military front," said Yvon Muya, a researcher at the University of Ottawa, Al Jazeera reported. Talks between the government and M23 had been expected in Qatar in November.

The UN and Western governments accuse Rwanda of backing M23, which Rwanda denies. More than 100 armed groups are active in eastern Congo, the BBC reported.

What we know: Kabila now leads a coalition that includes M23 leaders and says it may use force against the government.
What we don't: Whether the coalition will launch new attacks and what it means for planned peace talks.