A newly formed politico-military movement led by former President Joseph Kabila has been linked to suicide drone strikes in eastern DR Congo, while the government has banned the activities of Kabila’s party and 12 other political groups.
The Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), launched in Goma on October 12, allegedly targeted army and allied positions in Musimba and Shovu villages in Masisi Territory, North Kivu, in the early hours of October 15, according to Radio Okapi.
Military sources said that the strikes used a suicide drone attributed to the FRN, which incorporates the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) coalition.
Several civilian structures were damaged and casualties were reported, although the exact death toll and extent of the destruction had not been confirmed. The bombardments struck forward positions of the armed forces and Wazalendo fighters, ending several days of relative calm in the area.
The strikes followed clashes in Nyabiondo, where Wazalendo fighters reportedly attacked FRN positions overnight, forcing civilians to flee. A local leader, Simeon Walo, told Radio Moto Bytembo-Beni that residents were still hiding because they feared a return of hostilities.
On October 14, at least three drivers, including a Kenyan and a Somali national — were killed near Pimbo in north-eastern Ituri Province of the DRC, on October 14 in an attack attributed to the Codeco militia.
Later, Kenyan transport body LoDCA said six Kenyan drivers were among 12 people kidnapped during the incident and later released, and it urged operators to suspend non-essential travel on the Mahagi-Pimbo-Djugu-Bunia-Kisangani corridor.
Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Jacquemain Shabani has recently ordered a nationwide ban on the activities of Kabila’s People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) and 12 other parties.
The banned groups include Matata Ponyo’s Leadership and Governance for Development, Seth Kikuni’s Path to Emergence, Théophile Mbemba Fundu’s Alliance for Alternation and Progress, Claudel Lubaya’s African Democratic Union, Thomas Lubanga’s Union of Congolese Patriots and Corneille Nangaa’s Action for the Dignity of Congo and its People.
The move came three days after Kabila was appointed head of the FRN, which says it will oppose President Félix Tshisekedi’s government “by all means, including force”. Kinshasa accuses Kabila of supporting the rebellion, while he denies the allegation. In September 2025, a military court sentenced him to death in absentia for treason and war crimes.
