The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has announced a reward of $5 million for information leading to the capture of three key leaders of the M23 rebel group. These leaders include former electoral chief Corneille Nangaa, military commander Sultani Makenga, and political leader Bertrand Bisimwa. The trio was sentenced to death in absentia by DR Congo authorities in 2024 for their roles in treasonous activities.
Despite the significant bounty, the likelihood of capturing these individuals remains slim as M23 forces, allegedly backed by Rwanda, continue to control large swaths of eastern DR Congo. The group has seized major cities such as Goma and Bukavu, contributing to an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Thousands of people have lost their lives in the violence, and hundreds of thousands more have been displaced from their homes.
DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi has called for stronger international measures against Rwanda, which a UN report alleges has deployed troops to assist M23. The Congolese government has also called on the United States and other global powers to source minerals directly from DR Congo rather than through Rwanda, accusing its neighbor of smuggling valuable resources, including gold and coltan—minerals essential for the global electronics industry.
Rwanda, however, denies accusations of looting DR Congo’s resources but acknowledges its military support for M23, citing security concerns due to alleged ties between the DR Congo government and the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), a militia linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. DR Congo rejects these allegations, calling them unfounded.
A recent report by U.N. experts confirmed that approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops are operating alongside M23 rebels in eastern Congo. The rebels currently control the capitals of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, regions rich in untapped mineral resources, estimated to be worth trillions of dollars. These resources are critical to the global technology supply chain, making the region of significant strategic interest.
The M23 rebellion, which first emerged in 2012, has become one of the most formidable armed groups operating in eastern DR Congo. Despite numerous peace agreements and ceasefires over the years, M23 has managed to gain substantial control of territory, capitalizing on the political instability and weak governance structures in the region.
The ongoing conflict has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with millions of Congolese citizens facing displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to basic services. The DR Congo government’s efforts to combat M23, along with its calls for international support and sanctions against Rwanda, underline the complex nature of the conflict and the challenges of achieving lasting peace in the region.
