Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of violating international law by using foreign mercenaries in the conflict in eastern DRC.
It comes after a Reuters investigation revealed that founder of American private military group, Blackwater, deployed a private security force to operate drones and help Democratic Republic of Congo’s army secure the city of Uvira against the Rwandan backed AFC/M23.
Responding to the investigation in a post on X, Nduhungirehe described the involvement of Blackwater as a recruitment of foreign mercenaries which he says violates the OAU convention for the elimination of mercenarism in Africa.
“Let me recall that, by using foreign mercenaries over and over again, the government of the DRC is defying the international community,” he wrote.
The OAU declaration of 1977 prevents member states from engaging mercenaries or allowing usage of its territory for mercenary activities, and prohibits on member states’ territory any activities by persons or organisations who use mercenaries against any African State member of the Organization of African
Unity.
A Reuters Source said Prince’s team were deployed to Uvira at Kinshasa’s request, to bolster their efforts at a critical time.
The team has since withdrawn reportedly and returned to its primary mission, which is improving revenue collection from mining.
As of early 2025, Blackwater secured an agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to assist in securing and taxing the nation’s vast mineral wealth, particularly cobalt and copper in the southern Katanga region.
