GOMA: Over 200 Romanian Mercenaries Captured by M23 Rebels

KIGALI, RWANDA – Atleast 288 Romanian mercenaries fighting for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government were captured by M23 rebels in Goma following the city’s fall to the rebel group earlier this week. 

“The fighters were later transferred to Rwanda, where they are now being processed for repatriation to Romania,” said an M23 official on Wednesday afternoon.

This development raises further concerns over Kinshasa’s reliance on foreign contractors in its military strategy, as well as the stability of FARDC forces amid continued M23 advances in North Kivu.

The mercenaries were taken into custody by M23 rebels in Goma, the strategic capital of North Kivu province, after the Congolese military (FARDC) suffered a major defeat and retreated from the city.

Following their capture, M23 arrested and later handed them over to Rwandan authorities, where they are now being facilitated for their return to Romania.

It is estimated that around 800 Romanian mercenaries remain active within the DRC, raising questions about whether more surrenders will follow as M23 continues to consolidate control in the region.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has long criticized the DRC’s reliance on foreign fighters, dismissing them as ineffective and unreliable.

“Mercenaries are the most useless lot,” Kagame previously stated, arguing that Kinshasa’s dependence on foreign forces was a poor substitute for strengthening its own military capabilities.

The DRC government, however, defended its decision, insisting that the Romanian personnel were not mercenaries but defense contractors hired to help train and support FARDC (Congolese Armed Forces) in its battle against M23 and other armed groups.

Setback 

The surrender and subsequent transfer of the Romanian fighters to Rwanda dealt another blow to Kinshasa’s military position, particularly following the fall of Goma, a key military and logistical hub in eastern DRC; the killing of North Kivu’s FARDC commander, Gen. Peter Cirimani, in battle and the retreat of Congolese forces into Bukavu and Rwanda, further undermining confidence in FARDC’s ability to repel M23 advances.