The Online Newspaper of Students of East African University, Rwanda

Hundreds of Romanian Mercenaries Depart Rwanda After Capture in Eastern DRC Conflict

A group of 290 Romanian mercenaries, who reportedly fought alongside the Congolese army (FARDC) in the conflict-ridden city of Goma, have been repatriated to Romania after being captured by M23 rebels. The fighters departed Rwanda on Saturday 1st Feb. flying from Kigali International Airport to Bucharest.

Their presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had been a subject of growing speculation, with reports indicating that they were involved in combat operations supporting FARDC against various armed groups. While the exact nature of their deployment remains unclear, their withdrawal from Goma after their capture by M23 marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.

Rwandan authorities have not provided official comments on the departure, but sources confirm that the mercenaries transited through Rwanda before boarding their flight home. Their exit comes amid heightened regional tensions, with concerns over the role of foreign combatants in the DRC conflict.

Video credits: RBA

The return of the Romanian fighters raises questions about the broader involvement of foreign actors in the DRC crisis and what their departure means for the military dynamics on the ground. As the situation in DRC continues to evolve, their absence could signal a shift in the conflict’s trajectory.

Further details on their recruitment, activities, sole motive remain scarce. However, their departure underscores the ongoing international dimension of the conflict in eastern Congo and raises broader concerns about foreign military involvement in the region.

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Kennedy Rukundo

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