DR Congo Offers $5m Bounty for Rebel Leaders as Conflict Worsens

The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced a $5 million reward for the capture of three leaders of the Congo River Alliance, including M23 commanders, as the government intensifies its efforts to combat the Rwandan-backed rebels seizing large portions of eastern DR Congo.

The Democratic Republic of Congo government has announced a $5 million reward for the capture of three leaders of the Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 rebel group that has seized large portions of eastern DR Congo this year.
The bounty targets Corneille Nangaa, former electoral commission head who now leads the alliance, along with M23 commanders Sultani Makenga and Bertrand Bisimwa. The three were sentenced to death in absentia last year for treason.
A separate $4 million reward was offered for two exiled journalists and others described as accomplices.
The bounties come as the Congolese army struggles against the Rwandan-backed rebels, who have captured the region's two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu. A UN report last year indicated up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were supporting M23 operations in DR Congo.
President Félix Tshisekedi is seeking international sanctions against Rwanda and has approached the US for support, offering access to the country's valuable mineral resources including gold and coltan used in electronics manufacturing.
DR Congo accuses Rwanda of attempting to seize control of these resources, while Rwanda denies mineral theft. Though Rwanda now acknowledges supporting M23, it claims to be preventing conflict spillover into its territory.
The conflict has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians.

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