Congo Siasa: The Bosco surrender: more questions than answers

In this Jan. 16, 2009 file photo, Bosco Ntaganda, seated center, holds a press conference with Congo Interior Minister Celestine Mboyo, right, in Goma, Congo, as rebel leader Ntaganda agreed to work with the Congolese government. (AP Photo/T.J. Kirkpatrick, File)

There has been a lot of conjecture and speculation surrounding Bosco's "surrender" to the US embassy on Tuesday morning. In recent weeks, various parties to the conflict have been purposely spreading false information, which has made it difficult to parse the facts. Here are my own thoughts on some of these points.

Why did Bosco surrender?

His time was up. On February 24, an internal battle had broken out among the M23, pitting Bosco's wing against that of Sultani Makenga (for more information about Bosco's career and the divisions within the M23 see the Usalama Project's briefing here). While Bosco led a large group of soldiers––at least 500 were reported to have crossed the border on 14 March––he was short on ammunition. After weeks of fighting, he decided to run.

The larger and perhaps more important question is: Why did the M23 implode? Divisions existed since the group's creation in April 2012, driven by ethnic considerations (Bosco is from the Gogwe sub-ethnic group, many of Makenga's officers are Banyajomba), historical differences (Makenga was close to Laurent Nkunda, whom Bosco replaced in January 2009), and struggles over money and power (each carried out promotions behind the other's back and set up separate tax structures)...............

FULL ARTICLE: Congo Siasa: The Bosco surrender: more questions than answers

War crimes suspect 'the Terminator' arrives at The Hague - World News

Katrina Manson / Reuters / REUTERS/Indicted war criminal Bosco Ntaganda poses for a photograph during an interview with Reuters in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Oct. 5, 2010.

By Jenny Clover, Reuters

A Congolese warlord known as "the Terminator" who is accused of murder, rape and other atrocities arrived at the International Criminal Court's jail in the Netherlands early on Saturday, the court said. 

Bosco Ntaganda, who walked off the street and gave himself up at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali in a surprise move on Monday, was flown in a private jet from the Rwandan capital to The Hague after being handed over to the court's custody......

FULL ARTICLE: War crimes suspect 'the Terminator' arrives at The Hague - World News

Rwanda to allow transfer of M23 leader to ICC - Africa - Al Jazeera English

   

FULL ARTICLE W/VIDEO: Rwanda to allow transfer of M23 leader to ICC - Africa - Al Jazeera English

ENOUGH PROJECT: Most-Wanted Warlord Ntaganda in U.S. Custody While Rwandan Authorities Detain Other Key M23 Officials

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo -- In a startling development yesterday, Congolese rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda turned up unannounced at the U.S. embassy in Kigali, Rwanda, asking to be transferred to the International Criminal Court. Wanted by the ICC since 2006, Ntaganda, who is known as “The Terminator” for his ruthless tactics, including recruitment of child soldiers, murder, and sexual slavery, has been elusive ever since international pressure mounted for his arrest in early 2012. Protecting Ntaganda and his lucrative links to eastern Congo’s illicit minerals trade is seen as a key rationale behind the M23 mutiny in April 2012...........

FULL ARTICLE: Most-Wanted Warlord Ntaganda in U.S. Custody While Rwandan Authorities Detain Other Key M23 Officials | Enough