Militias Profit from Gold and Tolls Amid Congo's M23 War
In southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, about 100 armed militiamen, known as 'wazalendo' or patriots, guard a gold mine operated by a Chinese company in the village of Mwala. These militias, originally from South Kivu, collect tolls and extort businesses while claiming to fight the Rwanda-backed M23 group. Officials warn this growing militia economy risks escalating regional conflict into a larger security crisis.
Times of India··Mwala



