Romanian mercenaries had a bad week in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They went there to fight for the army. But rebels beat the army and took over the city of Goma.
The mercenaries had to give up. They ran away to a UN base. Then, the rebels handed them over to Rwanda.
The mercenaries signed contracts to earn $5,000 a month, which is a lot more than regular Congolese soldiers earn. Some get only $100 a month, and others are not paid at all.
Rwanda backs the M23 rebels who attacked Goma. The rebels say they want to protect the Tutsi people in Congo.
Romania said the mercenaries were in Congo to train the army. But one ex-mercenary said most did not train anyone. He said they guarded places for up to 12 hours a day. He also said some had no military skills. One was even a firefighter.
The Congolese army works with other forces, too. It has troops from southern Africa and local fighters. Burundi sent soldiers to help. Experts say this makes it hard for Congo to plan and fight well.
The quick fall of Goma shows that Congo's army has problems. Having so many different forces hurts more than it helps. To improve, Congo may need to make its army simpler and stronger.
The mercenaries had to give up. They ran away to a UN base. Then, the rebels handed them over to Rwanda.
The mercenaries signed contracts to earn $5,000 a month, which is a lot more than regular Congolese soldiers earn. Some get only $100 a month, and others are not paid at all.
Rwanda backs the M23 rebels who attacked Goma. The rebels say they want to protect the Tutsi people in Congo.
Romania said the mercenaries were in Congo to train the army. But one ex-mercenary said most did not train anyone. He said they guarded places for up to 12 hours a day. He also said some had no military skills. One was even a firefighter.
The Congolese army works with other forces, too. It has troops from southern Africa and local fighters. Burundi sent soldiers to help. Experts say this makes it hard for Congo to plan and fight well.
The quick fall of Goma shows that Congo's army has problems. Having so many different forces hurts more than it helps. To improve, Congo may need to make its army simpler and stronger.
