# How will a new alliance affect the conflict in eastern DRC?

An episode of [The Inside Story Podcast](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1587936366), 15 Oct 2026, 25 min.

Audio: https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/9c074afa-3313-47e8-b802-a9f900789975/223113c5-ff31-4f9a-b650-ada90106df0f/8853dcbf-7fda-42c6-ab94-b4e40075ab67/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=7c994764-510f-469f-80a3-ada901076c74

Joseph Kabila, who ruled DR Congo for almost two decades, is making a comeback. He will lead the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a political-military alliance with M23 fighters that opposes President Felix Tshisekedi's government in Kinshasa. Several attempts at a peace deal between government forces, rebels and armed groups have already failed, and many fear the move will worsen the fighting in eastern DR Congo. Is this coalition likely to escalate the conflict? In this episode: • Henry-Pacifique Mayala, Co-ordinator of the Kivu Security Tracker at Ebuteli institute • Ovigwe Eguegu, Policy Analyst at Development Reimagined, specialising in African geopolitics and great power competition • Vincent Rouget, Head of Political Risk for Africa at Control Risks, a global consultancy Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

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