The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is once again engulfed in conflict, with the notorious M23 rebel group surging through the eastern regions. At the center of this turmoil is Sultani Makenga, a rebel leader whose life has been defined by war and strategic combat.
Born on December 25, 1973, in Masisi, Makenga’s journey into armed conflict began at 17 when he joined the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). The RPF sought greater representation for the Tutsi ethnic group in Rwanda, culminating in the overthrow of the extremist Hutu government responsible for the 1994 genocide. Makenga, known for his expertise in ambush tactics, rose through the ranks of the Rwandan military before shifting his focus to DR Congo’s conflicts.
Makenga played a pivotal role in the 1997 overthrow of Congolese dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, supporting Laurent Kabila’s rise to power. However, tensions between Kabila and Rwanda escalated, leading to renewed war. Makenga, imprisoned at one point for defying orders to return to Rwanda, later re-emerged as a strategic commander in the Congolese conflict.
In the years following the war’s official end in 2003, Makenga and other Tutsi rebels were integrated into the Congolese army. However, political instability and grievances over the government’s failure to honor peace agreements led to the formation of the M23 rebellion. By 2012, Makenga had taken full control of M23 and led an offensive that captured Goma, a major city in eastern DRC. This prompted international condemnation and accusations of Rwandan backing, which Kigali has consistently denied.
Makenga’s leadership has been marred by allegations of war crimes. The U.S. sanctioned him for recruiting child soldiers, and the United Nations has accused him of committing acts of sexual violence. Despite facing internal rebellion within M23 and international pressure, he remained a dominant force. In 2013, internal M23 divisions led to a power struggle, with Makenga emerging victorious while his rival, Gen. Bosco Ntaganda, surrendered to the U.S. embassy in Rwanda and was later sentenced to 30 years for war crimes.
After years in exile, Makenga reignited the M23 insurgency in 2021. As the conflict escalates, a Congolese court has sentenced him to death in absentia. Despite this, he remains elusive, focusing on military strategy while his forces, allegedly supported by Rwandan troops, continue to gain ground. With ceasefires failing and millions suffering, Makenga’s legacy as a wartime strategist continues to shape the region’s future.
