On October 15, 2025, Kabila and his supporters met in Nairobi, Kenya, to launch a new coalition called Sauvons La RDC ('Let's Save the DRC'), which aims to address long-standing political and social challenges facing the country.
The coalition said it will base its efforts on twelve proposals Kabila presented in May, including ending authoritarian rule, promoting inclusive dialogue, dismantling armed groups, and engaging with neighbouring countries.
Kabila, who led the DRC from 2001 to 2019, was sentenced to death in September by a military court after being convicted of crimes including treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and participation in an illegal armed group. The government has maintained that Kabila should not be allowed to take part in national peace talks and, if apprehended, should face the sentence imposed by the court.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently told DRC President Félix Tshisekedi that Kabila is 'effectively dead' politically, suggesting he could be removed from influence depending on the loyalty of his supporters.
Political marginalisation within the DRC appears to have driven Kabila to form the new coalition, which includes politicians who fled the country or are wanted by justice, such as former Prime Minister Matata Ponyo.
It remains unclear how Kabila's allies still in the DRC, including PPRD party President Aubin Minaku, Secretary-General Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, and Ferdinand Kambere, will respond.
On October 23, FCC leaders, mostly PPRD members, held a meeting to discuss the coalition's formation and Kabila's plans. In a statement, they confirmed FCC's membership in Sauvons La RDC and pledged support for all of its objectives.
'FCC, the coalition of His Excellency Joseph Kabila Kabange, comprising multiple groups, political parties, and associations, is a member of Sauvons la RDC. This coalition aims to ensure inclusive national dialogue, oppose constitutional amendments, and end authoritarian rule,' the statement read.
Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya told Africa Radio on October 23 that Kabila no longer holds power in the country and is unlikely to achieve any tangible results.
'He is a man of the past, who gathered in Nairobi those convicted of crimes and fugitives from justice, united by their opposition to President Tshisekedi,' Muyaya said.
Kabila became a Senator for Life for the DRC upon leaving the presidency in 2019. He was living in exile in South Africa until his return to the eastern DRC in April 2025, which preceded his conviction in absentia by a military court in September 2025 for crimes including treason.
IGIHE
