With Agencies
Kinshasa, DRC — The Democratic Republic of Congo has banned the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy, the party of former President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of links to the M23 rebel group that has seized large parts of eastern Congo.
The interior ministry announced the ban on Saturday, citing the party’s “ambiguous attitude” towards the M23’s occupation of Congolese territory. The government also accused Kabila of high treason and ordered the seizure of his property.
Kabila, who led the country for 18 years after succeeding his father Laurent, has denied having links to the M23. His party, PPRD, has not commented on the ban.
Reports suggest Kabila has returned to the country after spending two years in South Africa, with some sources saying he is in Goma, a city seized by the M23 in January. However, Kabila’s spokesperson has denied his presence in Goma.
The M23, backed by Rwanda, has been fighting the Congolese army in eastern DRC, claiming to protect Congolese Tutsi communities and combat corruption and bad governance.
The ban on PPRD comes amid heightened tensions between Kabila and the current government, led by President Felix Tshisekedi.