The M23 rebel group was supported by Rwanda and Uganda since 1997, when they conspired to remove Mobutu Sese Seko from power of Zaire and install Laurent Désiré Kabila as dictator of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
M23 was the most active mercenary group in Congo until it was forced to leave and retreat to Rwanda and Uganda in November 2013.
In June 2012, the UN released a shocking report detailing Rwanda’s and Uganda’s support to the brutal M23 terrorist group operating in Congo, including arms and training.
It details that Rwanda’s defence minister commanded M23.
Former Congolese general Bosco Ntaganda controls the ground operations, while M23 leader Sultani Makenga was in charge of operations and coordination with allied armed groups.
Both Ntaganda and Makenga receive direct military orders from RDF (Rwandan army) Chief of Defense staff General Charles Kayonga, who in turn acts on instructions from Minister of Defence General James Kabarebe.
Xavier Chiribanya, who was reportedly involved in the killing of Laurent Kabila, on 9 May 2012 declared that his UCDD movement is an ally of M23 and subsequently held a series of meetings during which he claimed full support from the Rwandan Government of Kagame.
