The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced a $5 million bounty for information leading to the arrest of three rebel leaders from the M23 group, which has taken control of vast areas in eastern DRC this year.
Targeting Rebel Leadership
The bounties have been placed on:
- Corneille Nangaa, a former head of DRC’s electoral commission, now leading the Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 rebels.
- Sultani Makenga, an M23 military commander.
- Bertrand Bisimwa, the political leader of M23.
All three were sentenced to death in absentia last year by a Congolese military court for treason.
The government has also placed $4 million bounties on two exiled journalists and others it considers accomplices.
Challenges in Capturing Rebel Leaders
Despite the high rewards, capturing the rebel leaders remains unlikely. The Congolese army has struggled against the Rwandan-backed M23, which has seized control of key cities like Goma and Bukavu. With military options limited, President Félix Tshisekedi has instead focused on diplomatic pressure, calling for international sanctions against Rwanda for supporting the rebels.
A UN report last year stated that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were actively supporting M23 in eastern DRC.
Conflict’s Devastating Toll
- Thousands of civilians killed in ongoing clashes.
- Hundreds of thousands displaced, leaving many without shelter.
Strategic Minerals and US Involvement
The DRC government has also sought US support in exchange for access to its vast mineral resources, which include:
- Gold
- Coltan – a critical mineral used in electronics like mobile phones and computers.
DRC accuses Rwanda of looting these minerals and smuggling them across the border. Last month, Presidential spokeswoman Tina Salama stated that President Tshisekedi urged US companies to source minerals directly from DRC, instead of Rwanda, arguing that Rwanda profits from materials illegally taken from Congolese territory.
Rwanda’s Position
- Denies looting DRC’s minerals but acknowledges involvement with M23, claiming it aims to prevent the conflict from spilling over into Rwandan territory.
- Accuses the Congolese government of working with the FDLR, a militia linked to perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, where 800,000 people, mostly Tutsis, were massacred.
- M23 and Rwanda’s leadership are both predominantly Tutsi.
The Congolese government denies any alliance with the FDLR.
Ongoing Uncertainty
As fighting continues in eastern DRC, international pressure on Rwanda may increase. However, with regional instability, complex ethnic tensions, and strategic mineral interests at play, a resolution to the crisis remains elusive.
