‘Patriots’ in Swahili: umbrella label for pro-government armed groups mobilised against M23 since 2022 (Mai-Mai, Nyatura, Raia Mutomboki, NDC-R factions, etc.). Partially formalised as the Réserve Armée de Défense / VDP. Fragmented and often abusive; some factions clash with FARDC or each other. Fighting the FRN alongside FARDC in Walikale and Rutshuru (Oct 2026).
Area of operation: North Kivu, South Kivu
Recent (to 3 Nov 2026)
- 25–29 Oct 2026: ambushed an FRN convoy near Kabizo (Rutshuru) and fought alongside FARDC at Luola, Tchad hill and Kibati (Walikale); see Walikale and Rutshuru fighting (Oct 2026).
Relationships
- Partners with: FARDC
- Fights: M23
- Fights: FRN
- Includes: VDP
- Includes: CMC-FDP
- Includes: APCLS
- Includes: NDC-R (Guidon faction)
- Includes: NDC-R (Bwira faction)
- Includes: Mai-Mai Kifuafua
- Includes: Mai-Mai Biloze Bishambuke
- Includes: Mai-Mai Yakutumba (CNPSC)
- Includes: Raia Mutomboki
- Includes: PARECO-FF
- Includes: Nyatura Abazungu
- Includes: UPLC (Mai-Mai Kyandenga-Mazembe)
- Includes: FPP-AP (Kabido)
- Includes: Mai-Mai Ngubito
- Includes: Mai-Mai Kabishula
- Cooperates with: FDLR
Referenced by
- APCLS (Part of)
- Burundi (FDNB) (Coordinates with)
- CMC-FDP (Part of)
- FARDC (Partners with)
- FDLR (Cooperates with)
- FPP-AP (Kabido) (Part of)
- FRN (Fights)
- M23 (Fights)
- Mai-Mai Biloze Bishambuke (Part of)
- Mai-Mai Kabishula (Part of)
- Mai-Mai Kifuafua (Part of)
- Mai-Mai Ngubito (Part of)
- Mai-Mai Yakutumba (CNPSC) (Part of)
- NDC-R (Bwira faction) (Part of)
- NDC-R (Guidon faction) (Part of)
- Nyatura Abazungu (Part of)
- PARECO-FF (Part of)
- Raia Mutomboki (Part of)
- Twirwaneho (Fights)
- UPLC (Mai-Mai Kyandenga-Mazembe) (Part of)
- Uvira offensive and withdrawal (Dec 2025 – Jan 2026) (Defender)
- VDP (Part of)
- Walikale and Rutshuru fighting (Oct 2026) (Attacker)