Nearly 300 foreign mercenaries hired by the DRC government surrendered after being trapped by M23 rebels in Goma. They sought refuge with UN peacekeepers who arranged their transit home through Rwanda. The article illustrates the challenges faced by the mercenaries, the historical context of foreign military involvement in Congo, and the implications of these events on regional security dynamics.
In a significant turn of events, nearly 300 foreign mercenaries, contracted by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government to combat Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, surrendered and began their journey home. The M23 recently captured Goma, a key city in eastern Congo, which resulted in the mercenaries, remnants of the DRC army, and allied militias finding themselves trapped against Lake Kivu and the Rwandan boundary.
Given their lack of escape options, the mercenaries approached United Nations peacekeepers in Goma, who facilitated their transit back through Rwanda. A Romanian mercenary, now heading home after two years in Goma, expressed relief, stating, “We are just relieved because we can go finally home … it’s a big relief.”
Amidst the ongoing conflict, the devastation in Goma was apparent. The Rwandan government denies supporting M23 rebels, framing its military actions as defensive. They assert that the DRC collaborates with individuals implicated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The Congolese hired these mercenaries to bolster an under-resourced army, employing high-tech military drones which, hindered by Rwandan air defenses, were largely ineffective. The mercenaries were sourced through Agemira RDC for logistics and Congo Protection, led by a former French Foreign Legion member, for training. According to Kivu Security Tracker’s Henry-Pacifique Mayala, the lack of coordination among military contractors exacerbated the conflict.
Congo has a storied history with mercenaries, dating back to the 1960s, including notorious groups like that led by Mike Hoare during Katanga’s secession attempt. One mercenary faced criticism from M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma, who chastised him for pursuing risky ventures in Congo, highlighting significant salary disparities between hired guns and local soldiers.
At the border crossing, numerous mercenaries awaited processing by authorities, some in military attire. One bore a shirt from the French Foreign Legion, which previously conducted notable operations in the region. Rwanda announced the intake of over 280 Romanian mercenaries, who were quietly transported to Kigali on buses.
This article discusses the recent surrender of foreign mercenaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who were originally hired by the government to combat M23 rebels backed by Rwanda. The context of the conflict involves a long-standing history of mercenaries in Congo, often linked to the nation’s unstable political landscape and repeated military interventions. The article outlines the mercenaries’ experiences, their interactions with local forces, and the implications of their presence in the ongoing strife between Congo and Rwanda, emphasizing issues of operational effectiveness and coordination.
The surrender of nearly 300 foreign mercenaries marks a critical moment in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While they were initially contracted to support the Congolese military against M23 rebels, their efforts have highlighted the challenges and complexities of foreign intervention. The ongoing tensions between Congo and Rwanda, combined with historical precedents of failed mercenary missions, raise questions about the effectiveness of such military strategies in resolving regional conflicts.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
