The announcement was made during a meeting on January 12, 2026, attended by AFC/M23 leadership and prominent figures from North Kivu province in eastern DRC.
Addressing the gathering, Nangaa referred to Kabila as a 'visitor' in the area and promised a future public appearance.
'Here we have a visitor, the former President of the Republic, Joseph Kabila,' Nangaa said. 'Do you know he is here? One day we will bring him so that he can come and greet you. He remains a lifelong Senator as provided by the Constitution, although he was removed from the Senate.'
This is the first public acknowledgment of Kabila's presence since he was last seen in AFC/M23-controlled territory in June 2025.
During that earlier visit, Kabila spent several days meeting Congolese citizens from diverse backgrounds, holding discussions focused on restoring peace to the country. He set up a temporary office at his private residence in the Kinyogote neighbourhood, in western Goma.
Shortly after that June visit, the Kinshasa Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation into Kabila's activities. He was subsequently tried in the Military High Court, convicted in absentia of treason and membership in an illegal armed group, and sentenced to death.
After June 2025, Kabila traveled to various African countries, including Kenya, where he established a political coalition named 'Sauvons le RDC' (Save the DRC), aimed at addressing the country's challenges.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/afc-m23-confirms-former-president-joseph-kabila-is-in-drc
