Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president Joseph Kabila and his supporters have long said he has no connection to the M23 and AFC rebel groups. But a recent interview by Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame with Jeune Afrique challenges those claims. When asked about reports that Kabila had resurfaced in Goma, a city controlled by M23, Kagame did not distance himself. Instead, he kept the door open.

Kagame stated that “all those who wish to take part in the struggle for a stable Congo are welcome.” He added that Kabila has “made his choices” and is facing legal pressure at home, including a death sentence in absentia and the seizure of some of his assets. Kagame then made his position clear: he saw “no reason to deny him passage.” This response raises serious questions. Rather than separating Kabila from the conflict, Kagame’s words suggest that his involvement would be accepted.

This statement is especially important because of the situation on the ground. Nearly a year after M23 fighters took control of Goma, the city remains under strong security control, with ongoing tension and displacement. Kabila’s reported presence in such an area is not neutral. As a former president with strong networks in eastern Congo, his movements carry political weight. Kagame’s openness suggests that access to this rebel-held zone is not restricted.

As a result, the gap between public denials and political reality becomes harder to ignore. Kabila’s camp continues to deny any link to M23 or AFC, yet Kagame’s remarks point in another direction. By saying Kabila could “be part of the struggle,” the Rwandan president blurs the line between political actors and armed groups.

These developments also support President Félix Tshisekedi’s position. For months, he has argued that the crisis in eastern Congo is not driven by isolated groups, but by a wider network. Kagame’s comments strengthen that argument. They suggest that the conflict involves deeper connections that go beyond what is publicly admitted.