Division has rocked the militia coalition under the umbrella of Wazalendo (Patriots) as several fighters, who were previously aligned with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), defected to the March 23 Movement (M23).
On Sunday, hundreds of fighters stationed on the northern front of Lubero territory publicly joined the M23 rebels.
Among them were fighters from the Front of Patriots for Peace/People’s Army (FPP/AP), led by General Kasereka Kasyano Kabido, the Common Resistance Front (FCR), and the Alliance of Patriots for a Free and Sovereign Congo (PARECO), led by their battalion commander, Colonel Nzayisenga Jadot.
Also joining the M23 side were fighters from Nduma Defense of Congo-Renovated (NDCR/M) and the Mai Mai Kifuafua group. Lawrence Kanyuka, the M23 rebels’ political spokesperson, released a statement welcoming the defectors into the M23 fold.
However, on Monday, Major General Luc Shukuru Bulenda, Coordinator of Wazalendo, condemned the defections, describing them as a concern.
Shukuru added that while the defection was troubling, it would not impact the coalition’s collaboration with FARDC in operations against M23 rebels.
He also accused the defectors of attempting to tarnish the image of the Wazalendo coalition and urged the population to maintain their confidence.
He announced urgent measures to defend the country.
The defections occurred amid significant advances by the M23 rebels, who captured the town of Nyabiondo in the Masisi territory of North Kivu province on Sunday after intense fighting with FARDC soldiers and their coalition partners.
Nyabiondo, located 110 kilometers northwest of Goma City, is the capital of the Osso-Banyuwangi sector.
The capture of this strategic town brings M23 forces closer to Walikale territory, a region rich in minerals and home to the headquarters of the Alpha Mines company.
The fighting has caused massive displacement of the local population, with many fleeing to Kashebere in the pouring rain.
The capture of Nyabiondo follows a series of recent gains for the M23, including the capture of Goma city, Goma International Airport, Kavumu Airport, and Bukavu city.
Since the resumption of the M23 insurgency in 2022, led by Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, the DR Congo government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, a claim both Rwanda and the M23 deny.
The rebels maintain that their fight is against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the leadership of the DR Congo.
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