Kindu, Maniema Province — Deadly clashes broke out Thursday in the city of Kindu between Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Armed Forces (FARDC) commandos, police units, and the Wazalendo militia—two groups officially considered allies in ideology and execution of the genocide against Congolese Tutsi in eastern Congo. Reports from the scene indicate multiple fatalities on both sides.
The confrontation, described by witnesses as “a war between allies,” highlights the deep mistrust and volatile relationship between the two forces.
Together with other genocide perpetrators groups, the Wazalendo fighters are largely composed of armed civilians. They are a rebranded form of Mai-Mai fighters—local militias with a long history in the DRC’s conflict zones. Many Wazalendo members adhere to traditional beliefs, including reliance on charms and talismans.
While the Wazalendo operate as nominal allies of the FARDC in battles against groups such as the Allied Forces Coalition (AFC) and M23 freedom fighters, tensions frequently erupt. Disputes have been reported across several provinces, including Maniema, South Kivu, North Kivu, and Ituri.
Wazalendo fighters often accuse their partner FARDC of cowardice and betrayal on the battlefield, while FARDC soldiers dismiss the militia as untrained civilians lacking discipline. This mutual hostility has repeatedly undermined joint operations and sparked internal violence, eroding trust on both sides.
Analysts say the latest incident in Kindu underscores the Congolese government’s inability to maintain discipline and cohesion among its allied forces. “This is a glaring sign of the absence of state authority,” said local commentator Israël Zito Tetela, who called the situation a dangerous precedent for ongoing security efforts in the region.
The DRC government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the number of casualties or the cause of Thursday’s confrontation.
