“Wazalendo” is a Swahili word meaning “patriots.” In the context of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it refers to a coalition of armed groups that have allied with the Congolese army (FARDC) to fight against the M23 rebel group. This alliance, formalized in 2022, involves various armed groups who have previously fought each other, now united under the banner of “Wazalendo” to defend Congolese territory.Â