The Wazalendo (Swahili for Patriots) is a group of irregular fighters[2] in North Kivu province made up of rebel groups allied with the official Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) military and opposed to the M23.[3] It consists of the Alliance of Patriots for a Free and Sovereign Congo (APCLS), Nduma Defense of Congo-Renovated (NDC-R), the Collective of Movements for Change (CMC), Patriotic Self-Defense Movement (MPA), and different Nyatura groups.[4][5]
| Wazalendo | |
|---|---|
| Dates of operation | May 2023–present |
| Merger of |
|
| Headquarters | Pinga[1] |
| Active regions | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Opponents | March 23 Movement Rwanda |
| Battles and wars | Kivu Conflict |
History edit
In November 2022, President Félix Tshisekedi called for the formation of "vigilance groups against the expansionist ambitions" of the M23.[3] The response was increased recruitment for the official FARDC military forces, but rebel groups also claimed the mantle of resisting the M23.[3]
On May 8th and 9th of 2023, several rebel groups and FARDC officers met in the town of Pinga and negotiated a nonaggression pact and the creation of a patriotic coalition to resist the M23. The FARDC officers were led by Col. Salomon Tokolonga, commander of the 3411th regiment.[6] While the alliance was initially organized in secret, the government officially legalized the use of militias within FARDC on September 3rd, 2023.[7]
The Wazalendo fought in the Second Battle of Kitshanga against the M23.
References edit
- ^ a b The 'wazalendo': Patriots at war in eastern DRC, 19 December 2023
- ^ Livingstone, Emmet (2024-05-17). "'Bullet wounds are common': crime rife in DRC's rebel-besieged city of Goma". the Guardian. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ a b c "The 'wazalendo': Patriots at war in eastern DRC". Le Monde.fr. 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
- ^ "Afrikarabia » Contre le M23, Kinshasa fait le pari risqué des groupes armés" (in French). Retrieved 2024-03-17.
- ^ "M23 crisis flares again in North Kivu: context, dynamics and risks". IPIS. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
- ^ "DR Congo: Army Units Aided Abusive Armed Groups". Human Rights Watch. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ "Wazalendo Add to Eastern DRC's Complex Brew of Combatants". Africa Defense Forum. 2024-01-16. Retrieved 2024-05-22.