Erik Prince and Romanian Mercenaries: How Tshisekedi outsourced the War on M23, But failed to stop M23 Premium

A new investigation reveals how private contractors, drone operators and foreign advisers joined the campaign to defend the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo from the M23 militia’s advancing fighters.

Oct 8, 2026 - 19:36

Oct 8, 2026 - 19:37

Erik Prince and Romanian Mercenaries: How Tshisekedi outsourced the War on M23, But failed to stop M23

Men believed to be Romanian mercenaries are checked before crossing the border into Rwanda after the fall of Goma city, 29 January 2025. Photograph: Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Images

As the M23 militia closed in on Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, in January 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government in Kinshasa mounted a last-ditch effort to defend the city with the support of local and foreign military allies. Backing the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) were Romanian military contractors, Israeli military trainers and companies linked to Erik Prince, the former US