Current Wars in the World See AFC/M23 Dissolved as Kabila Forms FRN to Continue Doha Talks

The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo forms part of current wars in the world, where the AFC/M23 has been dissolved and replaced by the Kabila-led Front pour la refondation de la nation (FRN), which assumes all rights, obligations and commitments in the ongoing Doha peace process with the Congolese government amid continued armed conflict and displacement.

Overview of Developments in Current Wars in the World

The FRN was established in Goma on 12 October 2026, dissolving the AFC/M23; Joseph Kabila was named its president, with Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa and Maj Gen Sultani Makenga as vice-presidents. [3] The new movement succeeds the AFC in its entirety, including commitments under the Doha peace negotiations launched in April 2025 under Qatari facilitation, which address root causes of the eastern DRC conflict through eight protocols. [3] Implementation of the signed protocols remains limited due to disagreements over ceasefire arrangements and prisoner releases; the process complements the Washington Accords signed by Rwanda and DRC on 27 June 2025 concerning FDLR neutralisation and security tensions. [3] Armed clashes between AFC/M23 (now FRN), FARDC and Wazalendo groups, plus attacks by other armed groups, drove large-scale new displacements in eastern DRC in September 2026, compounded by violence against civilians and climate shocks in Maniema. [4] Humanitarian situation reports document ongoing needs in Ituri and Nord-Kivu provinces as of 30 September 2026. [1] [2]

Political Transition in Armed Groups

The Front pour la refondation de la nation (FRN), a new movement led by former DR Congo President Joseph Kabila, has taken over all the rights, obligations and commitments of the AFC/M23, including those under the Doha peace process with the Congolese government. [3] The transition follows the establishment of the FRN in Goma on Monday, October 12, which marked the dissolution of the AFC/M23. [3] "The FRN succeeds the AFC in its entirety, assuming all of its rights, obligations, and commitments most notably those undertaken within the framework of the Doha negotiations," said Freddy Kaniki, the FRN Secretary General and Coordinator of its Executive, said in a statement dated Wednesday, October 15. [3] Kabila was named president of the FRN. [3] Former AFC/M23 political coordinator Corneille Nangaa, his deputy Bertrand Bisimwa and Maj Gen Sultani Makenga appointed vice-presidents of the new movement. [3] Makenga also retained his position as chief of staff of the Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC). [3] The Congolese government has not announced its position on the future of Doha peace talks or creation of the new movement led by Kabila, who has been tried for treason and sentenced to death in absentia in September 2025. [3]

Status of Doha Peace Negotiations

The Doha peace process, launched in April 2025 under Qatar's facilitation, seeks to resolve the conflict between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 by addressing its root causes. [3] The negotiations are structured around eight protocols, three of which have been signed. [3] However, implementation has remained limited, with disagreements over commitments including ceasefire arrangements and prisoner releases. [3] The protocols are intended to build confidence between the parties before they sign a final peace agreement. [3] The Doha negotiations are also intended to complement the Washington Accords signed by Rwanda and DR Congo on June 27, 2025. [3] The agreement addresses security tensions between the neighbouring countries, including the neutralisation of the FDLR, a militia backed by Kinshasa and formed by remnants of the forces responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, while providing for Rwanda to lift its defensive measures against the threat. [3] The communiqué confirmed that the new movement would carry forward the AFC's commitments as negotiations continue over the conflict in eastern DR Congo. [3]

Map shows humanitarian situation in Nord-Kivu province of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. — Source: reliefweb

Displacement Trends in September 2026

Armed conflict and the deterioration of the security situation remain the main drivers of new displacement in eastern DRC. [4] Clashes between the AFC/M23, the FARDC and Wazalendo groups, together with attacks and violence by other armed groups, continued to cause large population movements. [4] These factors are compounded by violence and abuses against civilians and, in Maniema, by climate shocks. [4] The FRN succeeds the AFC in its entirety, assuming all of its rights, obligations, and commitments most notably those undertaken within the framework of the Doha negotiations. [3] The transition follows the establishment of the FRN in Goma on Monday, October 12, which marked the dissolution of the AFC/M23. [3]

Humanitarian Situation in Ituri Province

Humanitarian situation reports document ongoing needs in Ituri provinces as of 30 September 2026. [1] The FRN was established in Goma on 12 October 2026, dissolving the AFC/M23. [3] Implementation of the signed protocols remains limited due to disagreements over ceasefire arrangements and prisoner releases. [3] The Doha peace process, launched in April 2025 under Qatar's facilitation, seeks to resolve the conflict between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 by addressing its root causes. [3]

Eastern DRC displacement map highlights ongoing conflict and FRN formation under Joseph Kabila in 2026. — Source: reliefweb

Humanitarian Situation in Nord-Kivu Province

Humanitarian situation reports document ongoing needs in Nord-Kivu provinces as of 30 September 2026. [2] Armed clashes between AFC/M23 (now FRN), FARDC and Wazalendo groups, plus attacks by other armed groups, drove large-scale new displacements in eastern DRC in September 2026. [4] The negotiations are structured around eight protocols, three of which have been signed. [3] Kabila was named president of the FRN. [3]

Broader Implications for Peace Efforts

The FRN succeeds the AFC in its entirety, assuming all of its rights, obligations, and commitments most notably those undertaken within the framework of the Doha negotiations. [3] "The FRN succeeds the AFC in its entirety, assuming all of its rights, obligations, and commitments most notably those undertaken within the framework of the Doha negotiations," said Freddy Kaniki, the FRN Secretary General and Coordinator of its Executive, said in a statement dated Wednesday, October 15. [3] The Doha negotiations are also intended to complement the Washington Accords signed by Rwanda and DR Congo on June 27, 2025. [3] Humanitarian situation reports document ongoing needs in Ituri and Nord-Kivu provinces as of 30 September 2026. [1] [2]

What to watch next: The Congolese government has not announced its position on the future of Doha peace talks or creation of the new movement led by Kabila.