The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended the political party of former president Joseph Kabila, just days after security forces raided several of his properties.
In a statement dated Saturday, the Interior Ministry announced the suspension of all activities of the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), which Kabila still leads. The ministry cited Kabila’s “overt activism” as the reason for the decision. Kabila served as president for 18 years, stepping down in 2019.
The party has not yet issued a response.
President Félix Tshisekedi has recently accused Kabila of plotting an insurrection and supporting an alliance that includes the M23 rebel group, which is currently engaged in armed conflict with government forces in eastern DR Congo.
According to a spokesperson for Kabila’s family, the former president left the country before the 2023 presidential election. However, in early April, Kabila stated—through a message conveyed by his staff—that he intended to return to the country, claiming it was “in peril.” While unconfirmed, reports suggest he may already be in or headed to the eastern city of Goma.
Last Thursday, the family spokesperson revealed that security forces had carried out raids on Kabila’s primary estate, located east of Kinshasa, as well as on another family-owned compound in the capital.
The Interior Ministry accused Kabila’s party of maintaining “a guilty, or even complicit, silence” regarding what it described as “the Rwandan war of aggression.” Both Kinshasa and international observers, including the UN, have accused Rwanda of backing the M23 group—allegations Rwanda denies.
M23 has been at the forefront of renewed conflict in eastern Congo, capturing strategic cities like Goma and Bukavu.
Authorities also criticized Kabila’s silence on the M23 rebellion, noting he has “never condemned” the group and has shown an “ambiguous attitude” toward its actions. The ministry further slammed his “deliberate choice” to enter the country via Goma—a city currently under M23 control.
Separately, the Ministry of Justice announced that the chief prosecutor has been asked to launch legal proceedings against Kabila for his alleged direct involvement with the M23 movement.