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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced a $5 million (£4 million) reward for information leading to the arrest of three key leaders of the M23 rebel group, which has seized large parts of the country’s east this year.
Among those targeted is Corneille Nangaa, a former head of DR Congo’s electoral commission, who now leads the Congo River Alliance—an alliance that includes M23. Nangaa has been seen addressing rallies in areas under the group’s control. The bounty also applies to M23 military chief Sultani Makenga and the group’s political leader, Bertrand Bisimwa.
The three men were sentenced to death for treason last year after being tried in absentia by a military court.
In addition, the government is offering a $4 million (£3.2 million) reward for the arrest of two journalists living in exile, as well as others it accuses of being rebel accomplices.
Challenges in Capturing Rebel Leaders
Despite the bounty, the likelihood of arrests appears slim. M23, backed by Rwanda, has overpowered Congolese forces in recent weeks, capturing large swathes of eastern DRC, including major cities like Goma and Bukavu.
With the military struggling to counter the offensive, President Félix Tshisekedi has turned to international diplomacy, seeking sanctions against Rwanda for allegedly supporting the rebels. A UN report last year estimated that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were operating alongside M23 inside DR Congo.
The fighting has had a devastating humanitarian impact, leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.
US Support in Exchange for Minerals?
As part of its strategy, the Congolese government is also seeking US support, reportedly offering access to its vast mineral resources—which include gold and coltan, key components in mobile phones and electronics—in exchange for assistance against M23.
Presidential spokeswoman Tina Salama addressed these reports last month, stating on X that President Tshisekedi was inviting the US to source minerals directly from DR Congo, rather than buying from Rwanda, which she accused of looting them.
Rwanda denies plundering DRC’s resources and claims its involvement with M23 is to prevent the conflict from spilling into Rwandan territory. Kigali also accuses the Congolese government of working with FDLR, an armed group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which killed around 800,000 people, mostly ethnic Tutsis.
Both M23 and Rwanda’s leadership are Tutsi-led, further fueling ethnic and political tensions in the region. DR Congo denies any collaboration with FDLR, dismissing Rwanda’s accusations as a pretext for its interference.
