SUMMARY

Mayi Mayi Mazembe was a loose network of armed groups operating in the Nord Kivu Province of DR Congo (Zaire). The group, named after one of the country’s most popular football clubs from Lubumbashi, consisted of members from the Nande and Kobo ethnic groups. Mayi Mayi Mazembe was formed in September 2015 by Marungu Magua under the name of UPDI (Union des patriotes pour la défense des innocents, Union des Patriotes pour la Défense des Innocents) with an aim of protecting the Nande and Kobo communities against FDLR attacks. The group cooperated closely with NDC-R. Some members of the UPDI network even merged with NDC-R in April 2016, other parts of the group remained autonomous. The UPDI members that joined NDC-R moved to their headquarters in Irameso, while the autonomous part of the movement remained in Miriki, renaming itself Mayi Mayi Mazembe. In May 2017 a conflict appeared between NDC-R and the Mayi Mayi Mazembe led by “General” Muhindo Kitete Bushu. As other Mayi Mayi groups in DR Congo Mazembe used dawa to protect themselves from enemy fire. In August 2018 FPP/AP led by Kasereka Kasyano also known as Kabido splintered from Mayi Mayi Mazembe after disagreeing on how to handle NDC-R.

Mayi Mayi Mazembe was led by Marungu Muliro Magua until his death on 14 April 2016 then he was replaced with Albert Kasheke, important leaders within the group were “Colonel” Augustin Kambale,“General” Muhindo Kitete Bushu, Kasereka Kabidon until the splinter in 2018 and Safari Buligho.