Seven active-duty Romanian soldiers were hired as mercenaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo while on parental leave, while 466 reserve soldiers also signed up to fight in the conflict-ridden nation, an investigation by the Romanian Ministry of National Defense (MApN) has found.
The inquiry, launched in February, followed allegations involving Romanian mercenary Horațiu Potra, who prosecutors claim was part of a plot to destabilize Romania in favor of far-right politician Călin Georgescu, according to Romania Journal.
Investigators found that the seven active-duty personnel, two non-commissioned officers and five professional soldiers, took parental leave between 2023 and 2025 and engaged in missions for Romanian security companies in Congo.
Three remain on leave, while four have returned to their units.
“For one of these seven soldiers, the investigations have already been completed, and the Military Prosecutor’s Office was notified. Similar measures will be applied in the other six cases,” the MApN said, adding that disciplinary and administrative actions are also underway.
Among the 466 reservists, contracts varied in duration, and many were released from duty due to age limits, resignation or medical reasons.
The ministry further disclosed that 24 former soldiers, after working in Congo for private security firms, were allowed to rejoin the military between 2023 and 2024 and are now assigned to various units.
Congo has been plagued by conflict since the 1990s, driven by ethnic tensions, political rivalries, and control over valuable minerals like coltan and gold.
Romanian mercenaries, reportedly linked to groups such as the Romanian private military company Asociatia RALF, were recruited by the Congolese government to combat rebel forces, including M23, a Rwandan-backed rebel paramilitary group.
In early 2025, around 280 Romanian mercenaries surrendered in Goma following an offensive by M23.
Investigators found that the seven active-duty personnel, two non-commissioned officers and five professional soldiers, took parental leave between 2023 and 2025 and engaged in missions for Romanian security companies in Congo.
Three remain on leave, while four have returned to their units.
“For one of these seven soldiers, the investigations have already been completed, and the Military Prosecutor’s Office was notified. Similar measures will be applied in the other six cases,” the MApN said, adding that disciplinary and administrative actions are also underway.
Among the 466 reservists, contracts varied in duration, and many were released from duty due to age limits, resignation or medical reasons.
The ministry further disclosed that 24 former soldiers, after working in Congo for private security firms, were allowed to rejoin the military between 2023 and 2024 and are now assigned to various units.
Congo has been plagued by conflict since the 1990s, driven by ethnic tensions, political rivalries, and control over valuable minerals like coltan and gold.
Romanian mercenaries, reportedly linked to groups such as the Romanian private military company Asociatia RALF, were recruited by the Congolese government to combat rebel forces, including M23, a Rwandan-backed rebel paramilitary group.
In early 2025, around 280 Romanian mercenaries surrendered in Goma following an offensive by M23.
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