The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of three leaders of the M23 rebel group, as the conflict in the eastern part of the country worsens.
The wanted individuals include Corneille Nangaa, a former head of the DRC’s electoral commission, who now leads the Congo River Alliance—a coalition that includes M23.
Also on the list are M23’s military commander, Sultani Makenga, and its political leader, Bertrand Bisimwa.
In 2023, a military court in DRC sentenced all three men to death in absentia for treason. Additionally, the government has placed a $4 million reward for the arrest of their accomplices.
Despite these bounties, doubts remain about whether the rebel leaders can be captured, as the Congolese army continues to struggle against the M23 forces, which have taken over key cities in the east, including Goma and Bukavu.
President Félix Tshisekedi has shifted focus to gaining international support for sanctions against Rwanda, accusing the country of backing M23. A United Nations report last year estimated that around 4,000 Rwandan troops were aiding the rebels in DRC.
The ongoing conflict has led to thousands of deaths and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
In a bid to secure U.S. support, the DRC is reportedly offering access to its rich mineral resources, including gold and coltan—essential for producing mobile phones and other electronics.
Responding to claims that DRC was using its minerals to seek military aid, presidential spokeswoman Tina Salama said President Tshisekedi was urging U.S. companies to purchase directly from Congo rather than Rwanda, accusing Rwanda of looting DRC’s resources.
Rwanda, however, denies stealing minerals from DRC but admits to supporting M23. Kigali claims its involvement is to prevent the conflict from spreading into its territory. The Rwandan government has also accused the Congolese administration of working with the FDLR—an armed group linked to those responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide that killed around 800,000 people, mostly ethnic Tutsis.
The Congolese government has firmly denied any alliance with the FDLR, which Rwanda refers to as a “genocidal militia.”
As the conflict deepens, it remains unclear whether the bounties will lead to the arrest of the rebel leaders or if President Tshisekedi’s diplomatic efforts will yield the international support he seeks.
