** Meeting in Goma: Joseph Kabila and the Congo River Alliance, a dialogue in a context of tensions **
On May 30, 2025, the former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, met with officials of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a group associated with the M23 rebel movement, in the city of Goma, located in the province of North Kivu. Although the details of this meeting were not made public, several local sources report that it occurs in a context marked by persistent security tensions in the east of the country.
### Historical context
The M23 movement, which was talked about for the first time in 2012, is the result of a series of complex conflicts linked to ethnic amalgams, political rivalries and economic issues in the region. Since then, the security situation in North Kivu has been volatile, punctuated by clashes, population trips and an international military presence, notably Monusco. Because of this instability, the question of the security and legitimacy of political actors has become a particularly sensitive subject.
### A meeting with deep implications
The meeting between Kabila and the AFC/M23 was perceived by some as a sign of a potential political dialogue. However, it also arouses legitimate questions: what are the real intentions? Could this rapprochement mean a desire to include groups traditionally perceived as rebels in the national political process? Or is it a simple power game in an already highly polarized environment?
The silence that followed the meeting, both on the side of the participants and the Congolese authorities, adds a layer of mystery to this approach. In a climate where transparency is often questioned, this lack of official communication can lead to speculation that may worsen already existing tensions.
### The potential consequences
The implications of a dialogue between Joseph Kabila and AFC/M23 could affect several levels of Congolese society. On a political level, this could open up possibilities of reconciliation, but the perception of a legitimization of rebel movements by established political figures could also be badly received by a part of the population, which aspires to peace and stability.
On the security level, recognition or cooptation of the AFC/m23 could have repercussions on the ground. Rebel movements occupying strategic localities can disrupt the usual efforts to restore peace, making negotiations more difficult if they are not accompanied by a sincere commitment to peace initiatives.
### towards a better understanding
Faced with this complex situation, it is crucial to qualify the interpretations. Political actors, in particular those who have a heavy and controversial past like Kabila, are often perceived through the prism of their past actions. However, each meeting also offers an opportunity for dialogue and understanding. This raises important questions: how can Congolese leaders really contribute to inclusive diplomacy that respects the aspirations of all Congolese? How to encourage an environment where each voice, even those from outside the established institutions, be understood and respected?
### Conclusion
Goma’s meeting could be a reflection of a change in the way conflicts in eastern DRC are discussed. Whether we choose to adopt a skeptical or optimistic perspective, it would be prudent to observe future developments and to remain open to the complexity of this situation. Far from embarking on hasty conclusions, here it is a question of thinking about the implications of such dialogues on lasting peace and reconciliation in a country where suffering has been shared for many years.
Ultimately, the way towards a lasting peace in the DRC will necessarily go through the understanding of the dynamics at stake and the acceptance that dialogue, even with controversial actors, can sometimes be a starting point towards a constructive resolution of conflicts.