Thomas Lubanga, a convicted war criminal from Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has announced the formation of a new rebel movement called the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CPR). This development comes at a time when the Congolese national army is already struggling to contain advances by the M23 rebels, who are reportedly backed by Rwanda.
Lubanga, who was the first person convicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), was sentenced in 2012 for recruiting and using child soldiers during the Ituri conflict between 2002 and 2003. He served a 14-year sentence and was released in 2020. Following his release, he was appointed by President Félix Tshisekedi to a peace task force in Ituri. However, in 2022, Lubanga was taken hostage for two months by a rebel group. He later accused the government of orchestrating the kidnapping and subsequently relocated to Uganda.
Speaking from Kampala, Lubanga announced the establishment of the CPR, which he described as a politico-military movement. He also introduced the group's armed wing, the Forces for the Popular Revolution (FRP). According to Lubanga, the CPR aims to "take back the destiny of Ituri province," claiming that the current governance is marked by corruption, embezzlement, and impunity. He also stated that the group has armed supporters in at least three locations in Ituri, although no military operations have been initiated yet.
The emergence of the CPR adds another layer of complexity to the already volatile security situation in eastern Congo. The region has long been plagued by violence from various armed groups, leading to significant civilian casualties and mass displacement. Humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, have reported a sharp rise in violence, with more than 200 civilians killed and around 100,000 people displaced since the beginning of the year.
Lubanga's reappearance as a rebel leader has raised concerns about a potential escalation of violence. The Congolese army has previously accused him of supporting local militias and collaborating with the M23 rebels. United Nations experts have also reported that Lubanga was involved in mobilizing fighters to aid these groups.
The Congolese presidency has not yet commented on Lubanga's announcement. Meanwhile, regional actors and international observers are closely monitoring the situation, as the presence of Ugandan troops in Ituri—deployed to combat the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)—adds further complexity to the region’s security dynamics.
As tensions rise, the international community remains cautious, recognizing that Lubanga's return to armed rebellion could further destabilize eastern Congo and worsen the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people.