By James Tasamba
KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – The Democratic Republic of Congo banned with immediate effect all activities of Save the DRC, a political movement launched by former President Joseph Kabila, according to a statement Tuesday.
The statement, signed by the deputy prime minister in charge of the interior, directed provincial governors and all administrative authorities to “end any public activities, meetings or other initiatives organized by the formation.”
Kabila launched the movement in October following a meeting convened in Kenya’s capital Nairobi by Congolese politicians and attended by Kabila to establish a political group opposed to the current president.
Its formation brought together several political leaders close to Kabila and opposed to President Felix Tshisekedi.
A declaration signed by the group said the movement was aimed at saving the country.
It said its goal was to reach all Congolese “opposed to a dictatorship, end tyranny, defend the constitutional order, promote national reconciliation, and push for inclusive dialogue on governance and peace.”
The movement’s formation triggered a diplomatic protest by the Congolese government.
In the weeks following the Nairobi meeting, several political parties involved in the creation of the platform were sanctioned by authorities.
The Congolese government accuses Kabila of collaborating with M23 rebels, who are at the center of a conflict in eastern Congo.
In April, authorities in Kinshasa suspended activities of Kabila’s party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy, citing its "complicity” in the M23 rebellion.
In October, the country’s High Military Court sentenced Kabila to death in absentia on charges of treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The 53-year-old ruled the country from 2001 to 2019. Since 2023, he has reportedly been living in South Africa.
Earlier this year, Kabila made public appearances in eastern Congo and expressed his interest to return home to "contribute to finding a solution" to the ongoing crisis.