SULTANI MAKENGA: RWANDA’S WAR CRIMINAL DESTROYING CONGO

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing another brutal invasion. The infamous M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, continues to wage war in the eastern part of the country, attacking our national army and seizing territories. In just two weeks, thousands of innocent Congolese have lost their lives, and tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda have escalated.

A History of Betrayal and Bloodshed

The roots of this crisis trace back to Sultani Makenga, the leader of M23, a man accused of war crimes and atrocities against the Congolese people. He is sanctioned by the U.S. for recruiting child soldiers, while the UN holds him responsible for heinous crimes such as sexual violence.

Makenga was born in Masisi, eastern Congo, in 1973. Instead of fighting for his own country, he abandoned his homeland at 17 to join the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a Tutsi-led rebel group in Rwanda. Their agenda was to overthrow Rwanda’s Hutu-led government. In the process, Makenga became deeply involved in violent conflicts, fighting alongside those who later took control of Rwanda.

After helping the RPF take over Rwanda, Makenga was absorbed into Rwanda’s army, where he became known for setting ambushes. However, his limited education and poor language skills blocked his rise within the Rwandan ranks. Eventually, he turned his attention back to DR Congo, not as a patriot, but as an invader and war criminal.

In 1997, with Rwanda’s backing, Makenga was among those who overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko, bringing Laurent-Désiré Kabila to power. However, when Kabila refused to let Rwanda control Congo’s affairs, tensions escalated. Rwanda invaded Congo in 1998 under the pretense of targeting Hutu militias. In reality, they sought to plunder Congo’s rich resources.

During this period, Makenga re-entered Congo as a commander for a Rwandan-backed rebel group. He became known for his ruthless military tactics, causing suffering to countless civilians. Despite efforts to integrate Tutsi fighters into the Congolese army in the spirit of peace, Makenga betrayed this trust and formed the M23 rebel movement.

The M23 Rebellion: A Tool of Rwandan Aggression

Claiming to fight for Tutsi rights, M23 launched a rebellion against the Congolese government. Makenga rose to the top of the group, leading a violent offensive in 2012 that saw them capture Goma, a major city in eastern Congo.

This invasion was widely condemned, with both DR Congo and the UN accusing Rwanda of backing M23, a claim Rwanda has consistently denied despite overwhelming evidence.

Under Makenga’s command, M23 committed grave crimes, including recruiting child soldiers, mass killings, and sexual violence. As a result, he was sanctioned and faced war crimes charges. However, internal divisions weakened M23, leading to a power struggle between Makenga and his rival, Bosco Ntaganda, known as the "Terminator." Their internal war resulted in several deaths, and Ntaganda eventually fled to Rwanda before being sentenced by the International Criminal Court.

Makenga’s Defeat and Return

With increasing pressure from the Congolese army and a UN-backed force, M23 was forced to withdraw from Goma. In 2013, Makenga fled to Uganda, where he was protected despite Congo’s request for extradition. For years, he remained in hiding while armed groups continued to terrorize eastern Congo.

However, in recent times, with direct support from the Rwandan military, M23 has returned stronger, once again seizing Congolese land in North Kivu. Despite multiple ceasefire agreements, M23 continues its brutal campaign, ignoring peace efforts.

In response, a Congolese court has sentenced Makenga to death in absentia. Yet, he remains in hiding, sending his fighters to destroy lives while he plots in the shadows.

Makenga claims to fight for his children’s future, yet his actions have only brought suffering to millions of Congolese families. If captured, he will face the full weight of Congolese justice. But until that day comes, the Congolese army and people remain steadfast in their resistance.

DR Congo will not be divided. Rwanda’s ambitions to control and exploit our land will fail. The blood of our martyrs will not be in vain. The Congolese people will rise, and our sovereignty will be defended at all costs.