Kabila to address the nation to clarify public opinion – Spokesperson says

Joseph Kabila, former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2001–2019), is expected to address the nation to clarify public concerns regarding his return to the country, specifically to the city of Goma. Kabila reportedly arrived in Goma on Friday, April 18, ten days after announcing his return following six years of silence and exile. A close associate told the Associated Press that Kabila’s visit aims to support peace efforts in eastern DRC. Kabila’s spokesperson, Barbara Nzimbi, announced on April 19 via X (that he would soon speak to the Congolese people. “In the coming ho

Joseph Kabila, former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2001–2019), is expected to address the nation to clarify public concerns regarding his return to the country, specifically to the city of Goma. Kabila reportedly arrived in Goma on Friday, April 18, ten days after announcing his return following six years of silence and exile. A close associate told the Associated Press that Kabila’s visit aims to support peace efforts in eastern DRC. Kabila’s spokesperson, Barbara Nzimbi, announced on April 19 via X (that he would soon speak to the Congolese people. “In the coming hours (or a few days), the honorary president Joseph Kabila will address the nation to clarify public opinion,” she posted. Meanwhile, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya claimed that Kabila’s presence in an area controlled by the AFC/M23 rebel group indicates he is “an enemy of the state.” This marks Kabila’s first return to the DRC in over a year—his last known visit was in 2023 before he went into exile. It remains unclear how long he intends to stay in Goma. President Félix Tshisekedi has accused Kabila of backing the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), led by former electoral chief Corneille Nangaa. In January, rebels seized Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, and later took control of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, in mid-February. Kabila denied the allegations in March, stating that the situation would be “very different” if he were personally involved. Recently, security agencies searched Kabila’s residence in Kinshasa. His wife, Marie Olive Lembe, condemned the operation as “persecution,” telling RFI that agents were “looking for weapons.” She added, “Generators, solar panels, vehicles... They took everything!”