FARDC Clashes with Wazalendo Coalition in Uvira After Killing Commander, Escalating Tensions in Eastern Congo
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) are clashing with the Wazalendo coalition after FARDC killed one of the commanders from this Wazalendo coalition.
Wazalendo is a coalition of armed groups of Congolese, mainly consisting of members from Mai Mai and other affiliated groups.
When the M23 group was intensifying its fighting at the end of 2021, these groups came together under the name Wazalendo to join the country’s forces in fighting against the M23 group. However, it was of no help as this group continued to challenge the Kinshasa government. It also continued to capture large areas, including major cities such as Goma and Bukavu in the eastern part of the country.
As this group expands its positions, the Wazalendo coalition continues to clash with the FARDC.
There have been reports from Congo’s security agencies indicating that the clashes between Wazalendo and the country’s forces mainly stem from both sides accusing each other of being responsible for losing positions still held by the M23. The clashes between these two sides began two years ago.
In this way, on the night of Thursday, April 24, 2025, these two sides fought in Uvira, after the FARDC had killed one of the commanders from Wazalendo.
Reports indicate that the FARDC killed that commander where he was operating in the city of Uvira.
The reports further state that before that commander was killed, the FARDC had first requested Wazalendo to leave Uvira and go to the hills of Uvira, claiming they were the ones causing insecurity there, and that their presence could allow M23 to take control. Wazalendo rejected this, which is the source of the ongoing fighting.
A testimony states: “Fighting is currently happening. We can hear gunfire in the city center of Uvira.”
Another testimony continues: “The fighting started after the FARDC killed a commander from Wazalendo. They killed him at night.”
This fighting between Wazalendo and the FARDC follows another conflict that occurred at the end of last month, where Wazalendo fought among themselves. The fighting involved one side led by Makanaki and the other led by Rene.
This area of Uvira, where they are fighting, is where the headquarters of the South Kivu province is located, after M23 captured the city of Bukavu, which is considered the capital of this province.
