The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced a reward of $5 million (£4 million) for information leading to the arrest of three prominent leaders of a rebel group that has seized control of much of the country’s eastern region this year.
The leaders in question are Corneille Nangaa, a former head of the DRC’s electoral commission, and Sultani Makenga and Bertrand Bisimwa, key figures in the M23 rebel group. Nangaa, now the leader of the Congo River Alliance, which includes M23, has made public appearances and addressed rallies in cities under the group’s control.
The reward also extends to the arrest of Makenga and Bisimwa, both of whom have played significant roles in the ongoing conflict in the east. Last year, the trio was convicted in absentia by a military court, which sentenced them to death for treason.
In addition to the reward for the rebel leaders, the government has also offered $4 million (£3 million) for information leading to the arrest of two journalists living in exile, whom the authorities have accused of being accomplices to the rebels.
However, the likelihood of successful arrests appears slim, as the DRC military has struggled to combat the increasingly powerful rebel forces. The M23, backed by Rwanda, has made significant territorial gains in the mineral-rich eastern region, including the capture of the region’s two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu.
The ongoing conflict has left many questioning the ability of the DRC government and its military forces to regain control over the eastern territories, and the government’s offer of a large reward highlights the urgency of the situation. The M23 group’s control over key areas has not only destabilized the region but has also drawn attention from international actors due to the region’s vital resources.
As the violence continues to escalate, the prospects for peace in the region remain uncertain, with the DRC government and rebel forces at an impasse.
