List of armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This is a list of armed groups active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the end of Second Congo War in 2003.

Rebel group	Subgroups / Affiliates	Year Established	Leader	Notes
AFRC			Charles Bokande   † “Je t’aime”
Alliance of Patriots for a Free and Sovereign Congo (APCLS)		2010	Janvier Karairi
Allied Democratic Forces		1996	Jamil Mukulu  ( POW ) (leader until 2015) Musa Baluku(leader 2015–2019; commander of pro-ISIL faction from 2019) "Muzaaya" (commander of Mukulu loyalists from 2019) Dusman Sabuni   †
Amka Jeshi		2020	Kasereka Celestin
APRC			Kambale Defao
APR			Meso
Chini ya Tuna
CMC/FAPC
National Coalition of the People for the Sovereignty of Congo (CNPSC)	Mai-Mai Yakutumba	2006	William Yakutumba
	Mai-Mai Echilo
	Mai-Mai Réunion (FPLC)	2017	Réunion wa Rusasa
	Mai-Mai Réné	2016	Rene Itongwa
	Mai-Mai Ngalyabatu		Ngalyabatu Mangala
	Biloze Bishambuke	1998	Assani Mbokani
	Mai-Mai Mulumba		Mulumba Hondwa [1]
	Mai-Mai Malaika		Sheikh Assani (until 2020) Kabala (2020–)
	Mai-Mai Napata
	Forces des patriotes pour la défense du Congo - Mouvement de libération (FDPC-ML)	2016	Kitungano Kibukila alias Ebuela Kakobanya Nakalambi Aoci Katumba	[1]
Groupe JKK / CCCRD		2020	Chimpanzé Hakizimwami
National Council for the Democratic Renewal (CNRD)		2016	Colonel Wilson Irategeka  # (2016–2020) [2]
Busumba group
FAP			Kasereka Ngesera
Forces de défense du Congo (FDC)			Butu Luanda Charles Mbura (until 2013; split into MAC) Madragul
	FDC–Tumusifu	2016	Tumusifu   † [3]
Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)		2000	Omega Gaby Ruhinda
FNL			Aloys Nzabampema
	FNL Nibizi		Shuti Baryanka   † Nibizi
Popular Forces of Burundi (FOREBU/FPB)		2016	Jérémie Ntiranyibagira Edouard Nshimirimana
FLEC/NG			Lwanga
Patriotic Resistance Front of Ituri (FRPI)		2002	Germain Katanga  ( POW ) Baudouin Adirodo Cobra Matata    ( POW ) [4]
Chini Ya Kilima–FPIC
Mai-Mai Kabidon FPP/AP			Kasereka Kasyano aka Kabido [1] Freddy
Groupe Mazout		2017	Sensele aka Mazout
Gumino			Nyamusharaba Shaka
Imbonerakure
LD Mahinduzi			Prosper Mahinduzi
LD Mbilize
Local Defense Ngengwe			Ngengwe
LD Zone			Zone
Mai-Mai Alaise		2017	Alaise
Mai-Mai Alida		2020	Alonda Bita aka Alida
Mai-Mai Aochi			Aochi
Mai-Mai Apa na Pale		2014	Mundusi/Mundus Munanga Babuyu
Mai-Mai Barcelone		2019	Mumbere Baraka Lolwako
Mai-Mai Bede		2003 – 2015	Bede Rusagara (2003 – 2015)   † [5]	Defunct after death of their leader [6]
Mai-Mai Kivuwhe
Mai-Mai Bishake
Mai-Mai Brown			Omari Brown
Mai-Mai Buhirwha
Corps du Christ		2016	David Maranatha
Mai-Mai Dario			Dario Syaghuswa
Mai-Mai Délégués
Mai-Mai Éléments Katadaye		2020	Katadaye
Mai-Mai Éléments Mutono		2016	Mutono Mukambila
Mai-Mai Fimbo na Fimbo			Bitonto
Mai-Mai Ilunga		2018	Ilunga Rusesama	[1]
Mai-Mai Issa Mutoka			Issa Mutoka
Mai-Mai Karakara		2013 – 2018	Karakara Espoir (2013–April 2018)   † [7] Brother of Karakara (April 2018)   † [8]	Defunct after death of their leader [6]
Mai-Mai Kashumba		2018	Kashumba Musagara [1]
Mai-Mai Kidjangala/Kijangala			Kijangala [1]
Mai-Mai Kifagiyo
Mai-Mai Kifuafua		2002	Delphin Mbaenda
	Mai-Mai Kifuafua Baeni-Limenzi		Baeni Limenzi
	Mai-Mai Kifuafua Maachano		Maachano
	Mai-Mai Kifuafua Shalio		Shabani Shalio
Mai-Mai Kihebe
Mai-Mai Kilolo
Mai-Mai Kirikicho		1992	Kirikicho Mirimba Mwanamayi
Mai-Mai Kithikyolo		2009	Vital Kithikyolo
Mai-Mai Kombi		2017	Kambale Kombi
Mai-Mai Léopards		2016	Kakule Endaniluhi Muthundo Mutsuva Kikongo and Fabrice
Mai-Mai Mahoro			Mahoro (until 2017)   †
Mai-Mai Makanaki			John Simbira Makanaki [1]
Mai-Mai Mandefu/Mandevu		2019	Nzirunga and Aminata
Mai-Mai Maradona [9]
Mazembe		2016	Albert Kasheke Kitete Bushu (2016–2020)   † [1] Kabido
	Mazembe-APASIKO	2019	David Kiboko
Mai-Mai Mazimano			Mazimano
Mai-Mai Mbulu			Kamale Mbulu [10] Bigaya Mahugo
Mai-Mai Muhima			Muhima
Mai-Mai Mundos [11]
Mai-Mai Mupekenya			Kati Malisawa [1]
Mai-Mai Mushombe		2015	Mushombe Muganguzi
Mai-Mai Mwenyemali			Mwenyemali
Mai-Mai Ngolenge			Burairi
Mai-Mai Nguru		2005	Nguru
Mai-Mai Ninja			Kambale Aziza
Mai-Mai Nyerere			Nyerere Bunane [1]
Mai-Mai PRM/PAREM
Mai-Mai Rasta
Mai-Mai Ruma/Zela Mbuma			Ruma and Zela Mbuma
Mai-Mai Rushaba		2014
Mai-Mai Shingo Pamba		2020	Matabishi Kakuhi Jackson alias Prof Kitwa
Mai-Mai Shoshi		2019	Jimmy Kidegi
Mai-Mai Simuzizi		2012/4 – 2016	Simuzizi Labani (2012/4 – 2016)   † [12]	Defunct after death of their leader [6]
Mai-Mai Kivuwhe
Mai-Mai Kiwis [13]
Milice M'vuba
Milice Pakombe			Mwami Mbonguma Kitobi (until 2014)
March 23 Movement (M23)		2012	Bertrand Bisimwa (president) Sultani Makenga (military chief) Jean-Marie Runiga Lugerero (former president)
MAC, ex-Guides		2013	Mbura
Mai-Mai Jackson MFP		2020	Jackson Muhukambuto (2020–2021)  ( POW ) [14]
Mai-Mai Kyandenga MNLDK		2016	Kambale Kyandenga (until 2022)   Kambale Matabishi (until 2024)	Split from UPLC, now allied with ADF
Nduma Defense of Congo			Sheka Ntabo Ntaberi (until 2017)   Mandaima (2017–)
Nduma Defense of Congo-Renovated	Nduma Defense of Congo-Renovated/Bwira	2020	Gilbert Bwira
	Nduma Defense of Congo-Renovated/Guidon	2015	Guidon Shimiray Mwissa (2015–2021)
Nyatura	Nyatura-APRDC		Benjamin Ndikuyeze Bigirabagabo
	Nyatura Bagaruza		Ntuye, alias Tapis Rouge (until 2019) Kagiri (2019–)
	Nyatura Bavuga
	Nyatura Bizagwira		Bizagwira Muhindi
	Nyatura CMC	2014
	Nyatura Delta FDDH	2012	Delta Gashamare (2012–2020)   Manga (2020)   †
	Nyatura FPDH	2020	Sore India
	Nyatura FPPH		Soki   † Kasongo (until 2016)
	Nyatura GAV
	Nyatura Jean-Marie		Jean-Marie Nzayimana
	Nyatura JED		Faustin Bavakure
	Nyatura Kalume		Matias Kalume Kage
	Nyatura Kasongo	2011	Kasongo Kalamo
	Nyatura Kavumbi (until 2019)  [15]
	Nyatura Mahanga		Rafiki Mahanga
	Nyatura Mudogo
	Nyatura Musheku
	Nyatura Nduhuye
	Nyatura Turarambiwe (Rutshuru)		“Col.” Niyonzima (formerly) Mamba Baziyaka Bosse Mbarushimana
Mai-Mai Uhuru OAPB			Commander Kasereka Muhasa Uhuru
PERCI		2007
	PERCI John Majimbo
	PERCI Kaomba	2017	Mukalay Yumba aka Kaomba
	PERCI Mpululu		Chief Mukimbo (until 2020)   † Mpululu Katalushi (2020–)
	PERCI Nyumbaisha		Luhala (until 2013)   † Nyumbaisha Mukalay (2013–)
Pisteurs		2015
Raia Mutomboki	RM 100 kg		100 kg
	RM Akilo		Akilo
	RM Bipopa		Bipopa (aka Chipopa)
	RM Blaise		Blaise
	RM Bozi		Bozi
	RM Bralima		Bralima Kelele (–2021)   [16]
	RM Butachibera		Butachibera Mwindja Weteshi Kabanzi
	RM Charles Quint	2014	Charles Quint
	RM Dembi		Dembi
	Raia Mutomboki Donat aka FPP		Major Donat Kengwa Omari Major Ngandu Lundimu (–2020)  [17]
	Raia Mutomboki Elenge	2012 or 2013	Heritier Elenge Mupenge
	RM Habikuangaliye		Habikuangaliye
	RM Hamakombo		Bwaare Hamakombo
	RM Imani Bitaa		Imani Bitaa
	RM Jean Musumbu		Jean Musumbu
	RM Kabazimia		Kabazimia
	RM Kabé		Kabé
	RM Kadaradara		Kadaradara
	RM Kampanga		Kampanga
	RM Kasosoli		Kasosoli
	RM Kazimoto	2018	Kazimoto (2018)   † [18]
	RM Kikwama		Kikwama
	RM Kimba		Kimba
	Raia Mutomboki Kisekelwa		Kisekelwa
	RM Kokodikoko		Kokodikoko (–2019)  ( POW ) [19]
	RM Lance		Lance
	RM LeFort		LeFort
	RM Lukoba		Lukoba
	RM Mabala	2012	Mabala Wemba Mese (2012–2020)   † Justin Mabala (2020–2022)   [20]
	RM Mabuli		Mabuli Mwanadamu (–2021)   [21]
	RM Machite		Machite
	RM Maheshe	2013	Kashi Maheshe (2013–2020)   [22]
	RM Makindu		Makindu
	Raia Mutomboki Mamba		Mamba
	Raia Mutomboki Manyilisa		Manyilisa
	Raia Mutomboki Mirage		Mirage Bitunya (–2020)   [23]
	RM Mungoro		Mungoro Matafali [24]
	RM Musolwa		Musolwa (–2021)  [25]
	RM Ndarumanga		Munyololo Mbao aka Ndarumanga (2012–2021)  ( POW ) [26]
	RM Ndusha		Ndusha
	RM Ngongo Lutete		Ngongo Lutete
	RM Omela	2018	Omela (2018–2021)  ( POW )  # [27]
	RM Puchi		Puchi
	Raia Mutomboki Safari		Safari (–2019)  [15]
	RM Safari Ngorongo		Safari Ngorongo (–2019)  [28]
	RM Shabani		Shabani
	Raia Mutomboki Shebitembe		Shebitembe
	Raia Mutomboki Shemakingi		Shemakingi
	RM Shukuru	2013	Shukuru Kawaya (2013–2019)  [29]
	RM Soleil		Soleil
	RM Vunja Vikwazo		Vunja Vikwazo (–2019)   [30]
	RM Walike		Walike
RM Wemba		Kikukala Wemba (2018)   † [31]
RUD-Urunana		2007	Jean-Damascène Ndibabaje, aka Musare (2007–2016)   † Juvenal Musabyimana aka Jean-Michel Africa (2016–2019)   † Cyprien Leo Mpiranya aka Kagoma (2019–2020)   † [32] Emmanuel Rugema (2020)   † [33] Cassien Nshimiyimana aka Gavana (2020–2022)   † [34] Nsengiyunva Emmanuel aka Faida Hakimu (2020–) [35]	Split from FDLR
RNL		2016
RED-Tabara		2015	Kisiga Ndagizimana Gervé [1]
Rwanda National Congress (RNC)			Kayumba Nyamwasa
Mai-Mai Simba	Mai-Mai Simba FDS		Mando Mazeri
	Mai-Mai Simba UPLD		General Michigan Luc Yabili (2007–2022)  # [36]
	Mai-Mai Simba (Manu)		Paul Sadala (aka ‘Morgan’) (until 2014)   † Manu (2014–2019)   † [37]
	Mai-Mai Simba Mangalibi	Mangalibi	Mangalibi
Twigwaneho		2000
Twigwaneho Makanika		2020 [38]	Michel Rukundo Makanika
Union des patriotes pour la libération du Congo (UPLC)		2016	Katembo Kilalo Mambari Bini Pélé (alias Saperita)
UPCP		2008	Kakule Sikuli Lafontaine (2008–2015) Muhambalyaki (2015–2017)  ( POW ) [39] [40]
UPDC Kapasi			Birikoriko Mingenya (until 2020)   [41] Kapasi
CODECO			Justin Ngudjolo (until 2020)   †
	CODECO–ALC	2020	Justin Gbesi aka “Le Petit Loup de la Montagne”
	CODECO–BTD	2020
	CODECO-ARDPC	2020
	CODECO-FDBC	2020
	CODECO-URDPC	2020	Songa Mbele (2020–2022)   [42] Désiré Londroma Bassa Zukpa
Zaïre-FPAC		2020	Zawadi Vajeru [43]	Anti-CODECO
Mai-Mai Yira [44]

References

1. Letter dated 10 June 2021 from the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo addressed to the President of the Security Council
2. THE FLN COMMANDER, LT GEN WILSON IRATEGEKA IS DEAD, 19 January 2020
3. Nord-Kivu: retour au calme après affrontements des Maï-Maï à Nyamaboko, 3 December 2016
4. "The Congo's Feared 'Cobra' Warlord Plans to Surrender — Again". Vice News. November 12, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
5. DR Congo’s Mai Mai militia leader dies, 31 August 2015
6. Sécurité : Les groupes armés encore actifs au sud-kivu
7. Sud-Kivu : le Combattant Maï-Maï Karakara Espoir tué dans la nuit du 09 au 10 avril à Kajege, 11 April 2018
8. Uvira : deux morts lors des affrontements entre militaires et miliciens, 24 April 2018
9. Civilian Casualties in Tshopo Province Following Clashes Between Mai-Mai Militias, 20 June 2024
10. Letter dated 6 June 2019 from the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo addressed to the President of the Security Council
11. Maniema : Les mai mai Mundos accusés de pillage systématique des biens de la population dans plusieurs localités du Secteur de Babuyu (Kabambare), 17 February 2023
12. RDC: un chef milicien abattu à Uvira, 26 July 2016
13. https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/79056/Ekyamba_Armed_2020.pdf?sequence=1
14. Congo detains alleged ivory trafficker blamed for killings of park rangers -statement, 10 June 2021
15. Is the era of armed groups over?, 29 April 2019
16. L’ex-chef milicien de Raia Mutomboki, Bralima Kelele, s’est rendu à la Force de la MONUSCO hier dans le village de Luhago
17. Sud-Kivu : 58 miliciens Maï-Maï Raïa Mutomboki se rendent à l’armé, 12 March 2020
18. Sud-Kivu : mort de Kazimoto, chef d’une faction des Raïa Mutomboki, 19 August 2018
19. SHINING VERDICT IN THE KOKODIKOKO CASE (DRC), 19 November 2019
20. 38 Rebels From Different Armed Groups Surrender In DR Congo, 18 May 2022
21. RDC: 8 localités récupérées en Ituri par l’Armée et une trentaine de combattants Raia Mutomboki contraints à la reddition au Sud-Kivu, 22 May 2021
22. The Raia Mutomboki chief Maheshe surrendered in Chishadu (Walungu territory, South Kivu) on 20 May with 120 men
23. Note sécuritaire de mardi à vendredi 31 juillet 2020, 7 August 2020
24. RECRUTEMENT DES MILICIENS EN PÉRIODE PRÉ-ÉLECTORALE : LE CAS DES RAÏA MUTOMBOKI À BUNYAKIRI, 13 April 2016
25. Shabunda : le Chef milicien Musolwa se rend aux FARDC, 7 August 2021
26. DRC: CONVICTION FOR FORCED PREGNANCY AND OTHER CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY FOR WARLORD NDARUMANGA, 23 August 2023
27. Sud-Kivu : le Raïa Mutomboki « Omela » est décédé dans la prison d’Uvira, 4 December 2021
28. Thirteen Raiya Mutomboki fighters and their leader, self-proclaimed colonel Safari Ngorongo from Chaminunu village, in Kalehe territory, surrendered on March 26, 2019 with 6 weapons (AK-47) and 95 ammunition to MONUSCO
29. Sud-Kivu : Le chef des Raia Mutomboki Shukuru s’est rendu à l’armée, 2 October 2019
30. Shabunda: le chef milicien «Vunja Vikwazo» quitte la forêt pour permettre le développement de son territoire, 16 April 2019
31. Sud-Kivu : le chef d’état-major du groupe Raïa Mutomoki tué dans les affrontements avec les FARDC à Shabunda, 23 April 2018
32. RUD-Urunana militia leader Cyprien Mpiranya ‘killed’, 31 August 2020
33. Rud-Urunana Militia Leader Col. Rugema Bumped Off, 23 October 2020
34. Rwanda: Senior RUD Militia Commander Killed in DR Congo, 17 December 2022
35. Breaking News: I Katanga mu birindiro bikuru bya RUD Urunana hateraniye inama nkuru y’igisirikare, 21 July 2022
36. Tshopo: Après le décès d’un leader Mai-mai, l’Administrateur de Bafwasende veut restaurer l’État à Opienge, 29 September 2022
37. DR Congo army kills Mai-Mai Simba militia chief in Ituri operation, 22 January 2019
38. DR Congo Army Says 18 Militiamen Killed, 5 January 2022
39. Congo's Entrepreneur Warlord, 29 January 2021
40. Lubero : le seigneur de guerre Mai-Mai Ghislain Muhambalyaki capturé, 12 June 2017
41. Nord- Kivu: Faute d’encadrement, deux groupes armés menacent de retourner en brousse
42. Songa Mbele, un leader milice, renonce aux armes à Bunia, 19 July 2022
43. RDC-Ituri: Le groupe Zaïre/FPAC se transforme de plus en plus en un groupe armé organisé, avec un réseau de trafic d’armes en provenance d’Ouganda, 3 January 2023
44. [https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n24/373/37/pdf/n2437337.pdf Letter dated 27 December 2024 from the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo addressed to the President of the Security Council]

Sources

• Kivu Security Tracker: Armed Groups