Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has returned to the country for the first time in two years, arriving in the M23-held eastern city of Goma.
His arrival comes after senators stripped him of his immunity over alleged support for the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which has been fighting the Congolese army.
Kabila, who led DR Congo for 18 years, has previously denied any links to the rebel group and recently criticized the justice system for being exploited for political purposes.
The former president’s return has been met with mixed reactions, with some residents reportedly welcoming him warmly.
A youth leader for Kabila’s People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) stated, “Kabila should be allowed full access to the country. For us, it is like a father has returned to his children.”
However, the Congolese authorities accuse Kabila of war crimes and treason, citing evidence that links him to the M23.
In a now-deleted YouTube video, Kabila labeled the Congolese government a “dictatorship” and outlined his plan to end decades of instability in the country.
Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya rejected Kabila’s remarks, saying he “has nothing to offer the country”.
Kabila’s return comes as the M23 continues to make advances in the mineral-rich east, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians.
