About 300 foreign mercenaries in Congo surrendered to UN forces and were sent home after M23 rebels captured Goma. Their hiring aimed to strengthen Congo’s military against the rebels, but coordination failures worsened the situation. Historical patterns of mercenary deployments in Congo further complicate the region’s conflicts.
On Wednesday, nearly 300 foreign mercenaries, contracted by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government to combat Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, surrendered and began their journey home. The mercenaries were trapped in Goma after the city’s capture by M23 earlier in the week, and, with no escape route, they surrendered to United Nations peacekeeping forces. Their subsequent repatriation was arranged through Rwanda.
One of the mercenaries, identifying himself as Romanian, expressed immense relief, stating, “We are just relieved because we can go finally home … it’s a big relief.” He further described Goma’s devastation amidst the ongoing conflict between Rwandan and Congolese forces, yet chose not to reveal his name during the border crossing into Rwanda.
Despite assurances from Rwanda denying support for the M23 rebel group, tensions persist as the Congolese government accuses them of aiding in the conflict. To aid its underfunded military, Congo hired mercenaries equipped with advanced military drones, which were ineffective against Rwandan air defenses, as analyzed by the International Crisis Group.
The DRC enlisted Agemira RDC, a Bulgarian company subsidiary, for logistics, and Congo Protection, a group led by a former French Foreign Legion member, for training. However, the lack of coordination between these military contractors worsened the already chaotic situation, as noted by Kivu Security Tracker’s Henry-Pacifique Mayala.
Congo’s history with mercenaries is long and tumultuous, recalling past failed attempts from the 1960s, including the ill-fated Katanga secession support by mercenary leader “Mad Mike” Hoare. Recent events echo this legacy as mercenaries once again faced failure in the volatile region.
At the border, M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma scolded one mercenary on camera, insinuating he should not have come for personal gain in such a conflicted country rich in resources, stating, “They recruited you, you receive $8,000 per month and you are fed, while (Congolese soldiers) receive less than $100.”
As the mercenaries crossed from Goma to Gisenyi, a border town in Rwanda, heavy-set men lined up for checks by police and sniffer dogs, marking their transition back home. Rwanda’s army announced it received over 280 Romanian mercenaries, who were transported to Kigali in silence as they left the scene of conflict behind.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been grappling with internal strife exacerbated by external influences, primarily from neighboring Rwanda. Recently, the M23 rebel group, which receives alleged backing from Rwanda, took control of Goma, prompting the Congolese government to hire foreign mercenaries for assistance. This situation highlights the complexities of military engagement and foreign intervention in the region, which has historically been plagued by similar issues involving mercenaries and armed conflict.
The surrender of nearly 300 foreign mercenaries amidst the advance of M23 rebels illustrates the complex and often volatile nature of military dynamics in the DRC. The mercenaries’ ineffective contribution and eventual retreat into Rwanda shed light on the continued struggle between local forces and external actors, reflecting a region still haunted by its historical challenges. This indicates an urgent need for robust strategies that address the underlying issues contributing to instability in the DRC.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
