Political analysts say that the Democratic Republic of Congo’s continued reliance on mercenaries signals a lack of genuine commitment to implementing the peace agreement it signed with Rwanda.
One major step taken by AFC/M23 after capturing Goma was permitting about 300 mercenaries, primarily Romanian, to return to their home country through Rwanda.
Nevertheless, reports confirm that the DRC continues to employ mercenaries, including Romanians—recently acknowledged by Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe during the Rwanda Convention 2025 in the U.S.
According to Ambassador Nduhungirehe, this behavior poses a significant obstacle to the actual implementation of the peace accords signed by both countries.
The peace agreement was signed on June 27, 2025, before U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Observers stress that outcomes of negotiations between DRC and AFC/M23 will determine the effectiveness of the deal, with some saying these talks are key to uncovering the root causes of the conflict.
Political expert Dr. Eric Ndushabandi warns that, given the ongoing battlefield realities, there are serious concerns about the credibility of the agreement.
In a recent press briefing, President Paul Kagame stated that Rwanda will take all measures necessary to ensure its security, regardless of formal approvals, as long as its safety is threatened.
He also emphasized that the success of the Doha talks between M23 and DRC depends on DRC’s genuine political will.
Analysts agree: signing a peace deal is one thing—but implementing it, given the DRC’s current behavior on the ground, is a far greater challenge.
