280 Romanian Mercenaries Deported After Surrendering to M23

More than 280 mercenaries, mostly Romanian nationals, have surrendered to the March 23 Movement (M23) after fierce fighting and the capture of Goma, a key city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The mercenaries had been fighting alongside the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and various militia groups in the region.

Following the intense combat that led to Goma’s capture on Monday, the mercenaries laid down their arms in a dramatic turn of events. Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma, the military spokesperson for the M23 rebels, paraded the surrendering mercenaries at the Grande Barrière border in Rubavu, on the DRC side, where he issued a stern warning for them never to return to Congo. He also challenged the mercenaries, questioning how they could justify earning $8,000 per month, far more than the FARDC soldiers’ modest monthly salary of under $100. Ngoma further ordered them to repeat the phrase, “Africa is for Africans, Congo is for Congolese.”

The mercenaries were allowed to cross into Rwanda, where they underwent a thorough security check by Rwandan officials before being transported under tight security to Kigali International Airport. Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) confirmed the arrival of the group, stating that they were now in Rwandan custody after their surrender to the M23. “This afternoon, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) received and escorted over 280 Romanian mercenaries who had been fighting alongside the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) in the Eastern part of DRC. These mercenaries surrendered to M23 following the capture of the strategic city of Goma,” read an RDF statement.

Meanwhile, Goma saw a brief respite from the heavy fighting on Wednesday, with fewer gunshots heard in the city. Some civilians who had fled to Rwanda began returning, although businesses in the area remain disrupted.