The UFDPC, a new armed group emerging in Nyiragongo

In Nyiragongo, in the province of North Kivu, a new entity has come into being: the Union des Forces Patriotiques du Congo (UFDPC). Dressed in military uniform, these young men and women held their first parade on Saturday 23 September 2023, just a stone's throw from the office of the chief of the Bukumu groupement.

They claim to be responding to the call from the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who is encouraging all Congolese to mobilise to protect their nation from aggressors. Their primary mission is to counter the M23 rebels in Kibumba, and they are seeking logistical support from the Congolese government to join the national armed forces.

The rally was also attended by members of civil society, including Placide Nzilamba, deputy coordinator of the Cadre de Concertation Nationale de la Société Civile, who stressed the crucial importance of respecting human rights.

However, the emergence of this new armed group comes after a meeting of the M23 rebellion in Kibumba, which warned the Congolese government of the serious consequences, particularly for the civilian population, in the event of military operations in the region.

This rise in power raises concerns about the stability of North Kivu and highlights the complexities of mobilising citizens in a context of persistent conflict in the DRC.

Last April, the Disarmament, Demobilisation, Community Rehabilitation and Stabilisation Programme (P-DDRCS) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) revealed alarming figures concerning the presence of armed groups in the east of the country.

According to Tommy Tambwe, coordinator of the programme, a census carried out last April identified no fewer than 252 local armed groups and 14 foreign armed groups active in five provinces of eastern Congo: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Maniema and Tanganyika.

Mr Tambwe gave details of these figures, indicating that Tanganyika province has 19 national armed groups with no foreign presence, while Maniema has 20, also with no foreign presence. South Kivu is the worst affected, with 136 local armed groups and 5 foreign groups. North Kivu follows with 64 local armed groups and 7 foreign armed groups, while Ituri has 20 local armed groups and 2 foreign armed groups.

These figures reflect the complexity of the security situation in the east of the DRC and underline the considerable challenges facing the Congolese government if it is to achieve lasting peace and stability in this troubled region.