(video by NEWSNINE)
According to reports, columns of Romanian mercenaries employed by the Congolese government were observed crossing into Rwanda on Wednesday, as M23 rebels solidified their control over the Congolese city of Goma. The Romanian foreign ministry had previously confirmed that a group of Romanian contractors were trapped in Goma, in the North Kivu province. However, local news sources indicated that on Wednesday, approximately 288 European mercenaries, predominantly Romanian, had managed to cross into the neighboring town of Rubavu. These private security contractors were reportedly hired by the well-known Romanian mercenary, Horațiu Potra. After Goma was overrun by M23 rebels at the start of the week, the mercenaries had apparently taken refuge in United Nations bases.
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