GOMA, DRC — Opposition leader Moïse Chapwe Katumbi, head of the Ensemble Pour la République party, is expected to arrive in the city of Goma in the coming days, further intensifying the political spotlight on the region controlled by M23 rebels since January 2025.
Sources indicate Katumbi will travel through Kigali before reaching Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, which has remained under the control of the M23 rebel group following their expulsion of Congolese government forces earlier this year.
Katumbi’s anticipated visit follows closely on the heels of former President Joseph Kabila’s arrival in Goma on April 18, raising speculation of a possible alliance between the two influential figures and the M23 movement, which has been engaged in a long-standing conflict with President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration.
The two politicians previously met in Addis Ababa in December 2024, where they jointly called on President Tshisekedi to restore peace and stability in the DRC. During that meeting, they criticized the Congolese government’s collaboration with foreign armed groups, including mercenaries and foreign troops, and demanded their withdrawal.
Both Kabila and Katumbi also called for the protection of human rights, urging an end to the persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities, the detention of journalists, and the harassment of political opponents.
Their joint statement also appeared to take aim at President Tshisekedi’s rumored intentions to extend his rule beyond constitutional limits, reminding the public that political power is a temporary mandate granted by the people—not a lifelong entitlement.
With both figures now reportedly operating within rebel-controlled territory, their political return is being closely watched both domestically and internationally. Observers say their coordinated actions could mark a significant shift in the DRC’s political landscape as tensions between the government and armed groups continue to rise.
Katumbi and Kabila have pledged to continue working together to address key national challenges such as poverty, corruption, poor governance, and ongoing insecurity in the east. However, their activities in Goma, now under rebel rule, are likely to deepen suspicions within the Tshisekedi government and raise further questions about their long-term political intentions.
