On Wednesday afternoon, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) received and escorted at least 288 Romanian mercenaries who had been fighting alongside the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) in eastern DRC.
The mercenaries surrendered to the M23 rebel group following the capture of the strategic city of Goma. After their surrender, they were moved to the Rwanda boarder and upon arrival at the La Corniche One Stop Border Post, Rwandan authorities processed and transported them from Rubavu to Kigali International Airport, where they were set to board flights back to Romania.
Sources indicate that the Romanians had been contracted by the DRC government to support FARDC in its battle against rebel groups in Masisi, Lubero, and Goma. However, after intense clashes and the fall of Goma, they were left with no choice but to lay down their arms.
This development is part of a series of unfolding events following M23’s capture of Goma. Rwanda has also received hundreds of FARDC troops and militia members who fled the fighting as M23 advanced on the city. These individuals were disarmed and are being treated in accordance with international law, with medical care provided to those in need.
