Wazalendo
| 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 |
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]
History
[edit]In November 2022, President Félix Tshisekedi called for the formation of "vigilance groups against the expansionist ambitions" of the M23. 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 8-9, 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 3, 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 "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.