'patriots' or 'nationalists'), is a Congolese rebel coalition and irregular force based in the North Kivu province, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

[4][5] In November 2022, President Félix Tshisekedi called for the formation of "vigilance groups against the expansionist ambitions" of the M23.

The response was increased recruitment for the official FARDC military forces, but rebel groups also claimed the mantle of resisting the M23.

[3] On May 8-9, 2023, several rebel groups and FARDC officers met in the town of Pinga and negotiated a nonaggression pact and the creation of a patriotic coalition to resist the M23.

[6] While the alliance was initially organized in secret, the government officially legalized the use of militias within FARDC on September 3, 2023.