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Boulevard du 30 Juin, Arret VodaCom, Gombe Division, Kinshasa.
More than 75% of the population in the Democratic Republic of Congo is composed of young people from 15 to 45 years Old. They are from poor families and as such do not access to education and health services. Most of them are living in extreme poverty, which is why the reduction of poverty is among our key activities.
Our programs range from the reform of education and health sectors to make them youth friendly and introduce services which take care of the specific needs of young people, in education we are promoting skills development, entrepreneurship, Civic Education and Carrier Guidance, business trainings and Income Generating Activities among others. We have also put in place transitional education and Functional Adults Literacy among others.
On top of existing international days, we shall put in place a particular day looking on young people, Equator Province will be our headquarters and Patrice Lumumba will be the symbol for all our youth activities.
In health sectors we are advocating for inclusive health services focusing of HIV/AIDs, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, Safe Abortion Services and Mental Health among others.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO SOLVE THE WAZALENDO CHALLENGE?
On Friday May 15th, 2026 we shall attend a public Conference here in Kinshasa under the Theme ” Entre défense du terroir et autorité de l’État : Le défi des Wazalendo. Rejoignez le débat” which means ” Between the defense of the territory and authority of the state: Challenges of Wazalendo, join the debate”.
Background information
Wazalendo is the name attributed to all local armed groups in DRCongo which are opposed to the presence of Rwandan Army in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Wazalendo means “Patriots”, they are composed of young people who generally want to defend their land against foreign aggression, most of whom have never been to school or did not go far with studies. They are playing a big role and in actual sense every Congolese who defends his land in one way or the other is a Muzalendo, some did not take guns but they are in advocacy, some are creating awareness among local population, some are communicators, some are in research, some are in education………..
In this case the Conference will focus on those who took guns and who are on front-line fighting against Rwandan Troops, much as they are brave and have greatly posed a serious threat to Rwanda, they have also committed various human rights violations against vulnerable Civilians such as extra-judiciary killings, looting, rape, torture and other inhuman treatment, and in some cases they impose heavy taxes to poor communities, take their agriculture produce and animals by force and loot the Minerals among other crimes. Generally Wazalendo operate in areas where the state is either absent or it is not functional, in many cases they are the state and make their own laws based on better offer.
Here is Maniema Province, after a meeting between Actors of the Civil Society and Commanders of Wazalendo.
We do highly regret these behavior which contradicts what they stand for and which pushes them far away from the intention to protect the local population, however we observe that the big responsibility lies on the state which does not exist in many parts of the country, leaving a very big place without the presence of the state is one among the factors, we also observe the failure of the current Government to respond to the basic needs of Wazalendo as they are fighting and strongly condemn various actors who criminalize the Wazalendo instead of supporting them and offering them the necessary trainings in terms of capacity building. Wazalendo remain civilians who have guns and the real solution is the withdraw of Rwandan Forces on the DRC Territory then Wazalendo will also melt down.
POSITION
We need to come close to Wazalendo, work with them in order to improve the situation of local population, train them, extend support to them and propose them other alternatives in order to cover their basic needs beyond the use of guns, intimidation and acts of violence against local population. Let us avoid the tendancy to criminalize them and instead involve them as make them work for the change they want to see.
