The DRC government has announced a $5 million reward for the capture of M23 rebel leaders, including Corneille Nangaa, amid an ongoing conflict exacerbated by Rwandan support for the rebels. The DRC seeks US military assistance in exchange for access to valuable minerals, while accusations of looting and collaborating with armed groups complicate the situation further.
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of three leaders of the M23 rebel group, which has gained significant control in the eastern regions of the country. Corneille Nangaa, a former head of the electoral commission, currently leads the Congo River Alliance associated with M23. Two other M23 leaders, Sultani Makenga and Bertrand Bisimwa, are also included in the bounty offer.
In the past year, the military court convicted all three leaders in absentia, imposing death sentences for treason. Additionally, a $4 million reward has been proposed for the arrest of two exile journalists and others classified as accomplices. However, capturing these individuals appears improbable as the Congolese army struggles against the Rwandan-backed rebels, who have taken large swaths of mineral-rich territory, including the major cities of Goma and Bukavu.
A UN report last year suggested that approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops were collaborating with the M23 in their operations within the DRC. The ongoing conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents from their homes. The DRC government is also actively pursuing assistance from the United States in exchange for access to critical minerals.
The Congolese authorities accuse Rwanda of attempting to exploit its mineral wealth, which includes gold and coltan, essential for manufacturing electronics. In response to concerns regarding potential military assistance, presidential spokeswoman Tina Salama asserted that President Tshisekedi is inviting US companies to purchase materials from COngolese instead of those looted and smuggled from the DRC to Rwanda.
Despite denying accusations of mineral looting, Rwanda has acknowledged its support for the M23, claiming it aims to mitigate the spillover of DRC’s conflict into its territory. Nonetheless, Rwanda has criticized the Congolese government for alleged associations with armed groups tied to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which claimed approximately 800,000 lives primarily from the Tutsi ethnic group. As accusations persist, the DRC government denies links with the FDLR, the group that Rwanda labels as a “genocidal militia.”
In summary, the DRC government has offered substantial bounties for the arrest of key rebel leaders amidst escalating conflict in the east, where M23 forces have seized territory. The DRC continues to accuse Rwanda of seeking control over its mineral resources while seeking US military support. The complex situation underscores the regional tensions and the devastating humanitarian impact of the ongoing violence, as both nations exchange allegations regarding the actions of armed groups within their borders.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
