DRC Conflict Update: Wazalendo Extend Influence Through Political and Security Demands

Introduction

The Wazalendo militias, initially mobilized as community defence groups against the M23/AFC rebellion in eastern DRC, have now articulated a set of six strategic demands addressed to President Félix Tshisekedi. These requests reveal a shift in the movement’s ambitions—from strictly military engagement toward political recognition and institutional integration.

The Six Demands

Population Control Measures
Wazalendo call for the prohibition of population movements from M23/AFC-controlled areas into FARDC-held zones, especially around Uvira, arguing that such restrictions are necessary to prevent infiltration.

Residency of State Officials
They demand that government officials deployed to Uvira reside permanently within the city rather than operate from Bujumbura, Burundi. This reflects distrust toward external-based authorities and a push for stronger local accountability.

Deployment at Provincial Entrances
Wazalendo seek deployment rights at key entry points of South Kivu Province, positioning themselves as co-guardians of security against rebel penetration.

Inclusion in Peace Talks
They insist on direct representation in peace negotiations, including the ongoing Doha talks, signalling their intent to transition from combat actors to political stakeholders.

Integration of Political Leadership
The movement demands the integration of its political cadres into national and provincial governments, as well as state and para-statal institutions—an explicit attempt to secure legitimacy and patronage networks.

Advisor to the Presidency
Finally, they request the appointment of a special presidential advisor dedicated to Wazalendo affairs, ensuring direct institutional access to Tshisekedi himself.

Security and Military Implications

The Wazalendo demands underscore their evolution from irregular militias into actors seeking semi-official recognition. If granted, their deployment at provincial entry points would institutionalize parallel armed authority, potentially undermining FARDC’s monopoly over security. Restricting population movements risks aggravating ethnic tensions and could lead to humanitarian blockages. Their push to monitor South Kivu borders may also trigger frictions with Burundi, where regional dynamics remain fragile.

Political Dynamics

By seeking participation in Doha and demanding integration into political structures, Wazalendo signal a desire to consolidate their role as permanent stakeholders in the DRC’s governance. This blurs the line between community defence and armed political faction, complicating both peacebuilding and state reform. It also places Tshisekedi in a delicate position: conceding risks institutionalizing armed patronage, while refusing could drive Wazalendo into open defiance.

African Security Analysis (ASA) Note

The Wazalendo’s demands confirm a broader trend in eastern DRC: local militias are no longer satisfied with battlefield roles but aspire to political recognition, resource access, and institutional leverage. This transition carries risks for state sovereignty, border management, and the coherence of national security policy.

ASA offers confidential advisory to governments, international partners, and private operators in the DRC, including:

• Close monitoring of militia-to-political transitions and their impact on local governance.
• Scenario modeling of militia integration into formal structures.
• Strategic insights on how these developments shape stability in South Kivu and the wider Great Lakes region.

Wazalendo are repositioning as hybrid actors—military and political. Their integration into governance structures could either stabilize or fragment the DRC’s fragile security architecture. Anticipating the consequences requires embedded, forward-looking intelligence.