Alleged Romanian Mercenaries Surrender to M23 Rebels in DRC:…

Reports suggest that over 280 men, referred to as Romanian mercenaries, surrendered to M23 rebels in the DRC. The situation hints at the DRC government’s outsourcing of military capabilities due to an escalated conflict with the M23, which has captured Goma. As civil unrest grows, regional tensions remain high.

Reports indicate that over 280 men, purported to be Romanian mercenaries, have surrendered to the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) shared this news via a post on X, previously known as Twitter, mentioning that these individuals are being transported to Kigali following the capture of Goma by the rebels.

Newsweek has been unable to independently verify the nationality of these men, their status as mercenaries, or their combat roles. Inquiries were made to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the RDF, and the DRC’s Ministry of Defense for clarification, but no official comments have been received outside of business hours.

The situation reveals the DRC government’s alleged reliance on Romanian mercenaries, suggesting they may feel ill-equipped to confront the M23 rebels independently amidst the rising conflict. The M23’s recent territorial gains, including Goma, are expected to exacerbate violence and lead to ongoing regional instability, particularly given the escalating tensions between DRC and Rwanda.

The RDF claims that upon their receipt, the so-called mercenaries were “fighting alongside the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC)” in the eastern DRC. Initially hired to bolster the DRC’s defenses against threats crossing from Rwanda, these individuals are now en route home after reaching Kigali, as reported by Reuters.

The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the presence of Romanian civilians and private personnel in the DRC, participating in army training missions. Reports indicate that these mercenaries were affiliated with a private military enterprise led by Horațiu Potra, a Romanian military professional responsible for training the DRC’s military forces.

Over the past two years, the DRC has increasingly engaged private military companies in response to the advances of the M23 rebels. Civil unrest has surged recently, prompting demonstrators to target the embassies of Rwanda, Uganda, France, Belgium, and the United States amid a growing conflict.

The United Nations and United States assert that the M23’s operations have been supported by Rwanda, a claim that Rwanda denies, asserting its troop presence in Eastern Congo is for security purposes. The M23, led by ethnic Tutsis, declared control over Goma on January 27, prompting the DRC government to describe their military push as a “declaration of war.”

Mélanie Gouby, a journalist, highlighted the normalization of the mercenary narrative in a post on X, stating that the mercenaries were being sent home after fighting. Deputy Chief of Mission at the Rwanda Embassy, Arthur Asiimwe, emphasized the need for Rwanda to maintain defensive measures against perceived threats. Andrew M. Mwenda, a Ugandan journalist, argued that the DRC’s dependency on foreign mercenaries has proven ineffective against local movements seeking change.

In summary, the surrender of alleged Romanian mercenaries to M23 rebels indicates a concerning reliance of the DRC government on foreign military assistance amid an ongoing rebellion. The situation in the region remains volatile, with potential long-term implications for conflict and instability. Continued calls for a peaceful resolution underscore the urgent need for a diplomatic approach in addressing the complex challenges facing the DRC and its neighboring states.

Original Source: www.newsweek.com