Wazalendo Fighters Halt Funeral of Colonel Gisore Patrick in Eastern DRC
The funeral of Colonel Gisore Patrick, a senior officer of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), was violently interrupted on Sunday, August 25, by fighters from the pro-government Wazalendo coalition in South Kivu.
Col. Gisore, who commanded a FARDC battalion in Maniema Province, died alongside his wife and four others in a plane crash on August 16, when an Antonov An-2 aircraft went down shortly after takeoff on its way to Kisangani.
The farewell ceremony, held at the 37ème CADC church in Kimanga, Uvira territory, was abruptly disrupted around midday. According to opposition politician Moïse Nyarugabo, Wazalendo fighters surrounded the church, brandishing weapons at mourners.
“The muzzles of Wazalendo’s guns were pointed at everyone inside. Doors and windows were locked — no one could enter or leave,” Nyarugabo told reporters. He added that despite the presence of FARDC and Burundian troops in the area, security forces had not yet intervened.
Nyarugabo, a former deputy and Minister of Economy in the DRC, further revealed that around 60 Banyamulenge mourners traveling by bus to Mulonge for the burial were also blocked by the Wazalendo militia.
“Their lives are in danger. Anything could happen. The burial has been postponed until further notice. Let’s not forget that Colonel Gisore died in the line of duty. Even in death, he and his family face discrimination — as does his entire community,” he said.
Col. Gisore’s plane crash occurred after he was reportedly summoned to Kisangani by Lt. Gen. Masunzu Pacifique, commander of the DRC’s 3rd military region. The wreckage was later found in the forest shortly after departure.
The disruption of his funeral has raised new concerns about the growing influence of the Wazalendo coalition, a loose alliance of armed groups backed by Kinshasa, and the mounting ethnic tensions surrounding the Banyamulenge community in eastern DRC.
