
RDC: Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) – Communique Officiel du M23 du 24 Octobre (24.10.2023)












“North Kivu: After tough clashes this Saturday. between the M23 rebels and the Wazalendo in the territory of Masisi, the city of Kitshanga comes under the control of the M23 rebels” (Faustin Bahati, 07.10.2023).
“North Kivu: clashes continue this Saturday, October 7 between the Wazalendo and the M23 in Burungu near Kitsanga. It is after the M23 recaptured Kilolirwe, civil society asks the Congolese Government to declare its position regarding the war in North Kivu” (MTV RDC, 07.10.2023).
Some wars never ends and they flair up again. Ceasefires ceases to exist and agreements goes into thin-air. Combatants returns to the battlefield, alliances breaks apart and new options are for former brothers in arms. There are now renewed warfare in North Kivu, which is lethal and endangering parts of the province.
This is nothing new and the ones behind the conflict is well-known. There is nothing new under sun and these combats are no different. It is the FARDC with allies against the M23, which is alleged to be supported by Kigali (RDF). Therefore, the same old story of insurgency and use of militia to extract and exploit the mineral rich province of North Kivu.
In the midst of this, there is a new group of patriots who has started skirmishes against the M23. These are locals who are now para-military group called Wazalendo. In Swahili “Wazalendo” means patriot, so they claim to be a group of patriots fighting for their “motherland” or “fatherland” for that matter. They are now fighting on behalf of the DRC and the needs of the local community. These are doing so because they believe the FARDC has failed them and they need to step in the job of the military. That’s just show how Kinshasa has failed North Kivu and it has done so for generations. We know this and they have allowed insurgencies and skirmishes of militias to tarnish, destroy and deplete region for selfish gains.
This also means that someone is giving weapons and ammunition to the Wazalendo. They cannot have weaponry and getting training without any sort of help. There needs to be backers and logistical support for their cause. To fight a war and a conflict isn’t cheap and there is a need for both military and monetary support to combat other forces. That’s why there always been questions about where the support and the logistical needs are coming from in regard to M23. Now the same question can be asked for Wazalendo too. They need a source and need funding. If not they are not lasting long on the battlefield…
The conflict of North Kivu is far from over. It has been going on for decades. Outside support has made it worse. These have used the fragile borders and the ability to interfere into their interests. That’s why both Kigali and Kampala are well known in these regions. They have had soldiers and troops there. However, they have also supported proxies in the past and possibly in the present. Which is why there is so much animosity between Kinshasa and Kigali/Kampala.
We cannot estimate or assess how this one will play out. The civilians are the ones that is losing. While several different forces are fighting over the territories. They are creating war in people’s homes and villages. Houses are burning and people are dying. While warlords are thriving…. And the evil cycle of conflict continues. Peace.