The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has taken a decisive stance as DR Congo suspends Joseph Kabila party, the Parti du Peuple pour la Reconstruction et la Démocratie (PPRD). The move follows allegations of former President Kabila’s complicity in Rwandan-backed aggression in the eastern part of the country.
Kabila, who led the nation from 2001 to 2019 and holds the lifetime title of senator, recently made a surprising return to the DRC after a year in Southern Africa. His arrival in Goma, near the volatile frontlines in North Kivu, raised concerns about his intentions and the timing of his reappearance amid the renewed M23/AFC rebel insurgency.
In a statement released on April 19, Vice Prime Minister and Interior Minister Shabani Lukoo Bihango condemned Kabila’s ambiguous behavior. The Ministry criticized his silence over Rwandan military activities and questioned the ease of his travel through Goma—an area reportedly under partial rebel control.
Citing Law No. 04/002 of March 15, 2004, which governs the operations of political parties in the DRC, the government announced the immediate suspension of PPRD’s political activities nationwide. Article 6 of the same law and Article 5 of the statute concerning former presidents were invoked to justify the action, pointing to possible legal violations.
The Ministry labeled Kabila’s actions as “proven activism” and his silence as “guilty,” suggesting deliberate complicity with foreign-backed forces destabilizing the country. The matter has now been escalated to the Public Prosecutor at the Constitutional Court.
In addition to suspending the PPRD, the Ministry urged all political entities to respect their constitutional duty to preserve the unity and sovereignty of the nation. It emphasized that no individual or party is above the law, especially in times of national crisis.
As DR Congo suspends Joseph Kabila party, speculation continues to mount over his next political steps and whether his return signals deeper ambitions amid the nation’s eastern conflict. Kabila has not issued a public response to the accusations, but his presence has undoubtedly reignited tensions in an already fragile political climate.
