Israeli Military Advisers and Contractors Support DRC Forces in Conflict with M23 Militia

Israeli military trainers and companies linked to Erik Prince, the former US Navy SEAL and founder of Blackwater, were involved in supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government’s efforts to defend Goma from the M23 militia in January 2025. According to a report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC), Prince secured a multimillion-dollar contract with the Congolese government. His affiliated contractors later provided drone surveillance and technical assistance to Congolese forces.

The report also highlights the involvement of Israeli advisers who trained two Congolese special forces battalions. Additionally, other foreign contractors, including the private security firm Agemira RDC, contributed aviation and procurement support to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). Vectus Global, another company mentioned, provides expertise to Congolese institutions, aiding in the protection of resources and strengthening the country’s sovereignty over its mineral assets.

GI-TOC’s investigation, titled “Violence for Sale,” outlines a complex business network where conflict has enabled armed groups, foreign forces, and private companies to profit from minerals, taxes, and trade. The report notes that the Congolese state formally contracted many of the companies involved in the security response.

Zobel Behalal, the report’s lead author, emphasizes that the Congolese government was attacked by an external force, marking the beginning of the conflict. The report identifies M23 as a proxy for Rwanda, citing evidence from UN experts of Rwandan military support. It estimates that between 6,000 and 7,000 Rwanda Defence Force troops were deployed in North and South Kivu as of December 2025 to support M23.

Rwanda has justified its involvement in security terms, particularly concerning the threat posed by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). However, GI-TOC argues that economic interests, including access to minerals and the security of cross-border trade routes, also play a significant role in Rwanda’s engagement.

The situation underscores the intricate web of international involvement in the DRC, where military and economic interests intersect with local conflicts. The report serves as a reminder of the need for accountability and transparency in such complex geopolitical dynamics.

Source: Read the original report