from JEAN KASSONGO in Kinshasa, DRC
DRC Bureau
KINSHASA, (CAJ News) – A CONGOLESE army-backed coalition of militias is accused of committing widespread abuses against civilians in South Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Human Rights Watch raised the alarm on the alleged crimes of Wazalendo (“patriots” in Swahili) to fight against the M23 rebels, although the extent of the army’s command and control over the armed group is unclear.
Wazalendo fighters have instead allegedly committed beatings, killings, and extortion against villagers, at times on an ethnic basis.
“The Congolese army risks being complicit in abuses by supporting the Wazalendo militias,” said Clémentine de Montjoye, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“Congolese authorities should end their support of and disarm the Wazalendo coalition and impartially investigate and prosecute all those responsible for abuses,” the official added.
The M23 armed group’s latest offensive, leading to the capture of Goma in North Kivu and Bukavu in South Kivu provinces in early 2025, resulted in the Congolese army’s retreat.
Since then, the Wazalendo have taken control of several localities in South Kivu.
In March and April, Wazalendo fighters allegedly set up roadblocks on main roads connecting towns across South Kivu, where they reportedly harassed people and collected between 500 and 1 000 Congolese Francs (between US$0,17 and $0,34).
The interim governor of South Kivu, Jean-Jacques Elakano, told the media later that the province was unable to collect taxes because of the Wazalendo fighters.
A recent report highlighted that although the Wazalendo receive military supplies from the government, the militia largely “lives off the back of the population,” leading to extortion.
– CAJ News