The M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo appear to be using advanced weaponry similar to those used by the Israeli military, according to a retired South African general involved in past peace negotiations in the country.
Maomela Moreti Motau told local broadcaster Newsroom Afrika that the weapons and equipment used by the rebels are highly uncommon for the region.
He also noted that their uniforms do not resemble those of typical guerrilla forces.
“I was a guerrilla fighter myself, so I know what guerrilla fighters look like,” Motau stressed. “Their uniforms, their equipment — they are not dressed like a ragtag army.”
The former general further claimed that M23’s weaponry can be generally associated with the Israel Defense Forces. “I could be mistaken, but it is not a weapon that Rwanda generally uses,” he stated.
Well-Resourced?
Without providing specifics, Motau stated that he believes the weapons used by the M23 rebels are not sourced locally.
“Those weapons are from forces that manufacture arms themselves,” he claimed. “They are not from the region.”
He also emphasized the use of specialized equipment, such as sunglasses, resembling those worn by US special forces.
Based on these observations, the former general concluded that the rebel group has been well-resourced for some time.
“This is not how a non-conventional army looks. They are clearly supported by a powerful force,” Motau noted.
The M23 rebels have been engaged in an ongoing conflict with government forces, displacing thousands of civilians and triggering a growing humanitarian crisis.