Congo boosts army salary in the face of rebel advances

The finance ministry announced Friday that the Democratic Republic of Congo boosted police and troop salaries in an apparent attempt to raise morale as M23 rebels, who are backed by Rwanda, march in the east.

M23’s rapid onslaught that has taken control of the two biggest cities in eastern Congo has resulted in thousands of deaths, hundreds of thousands of people being displaced, and increased pressure on President Felix Tshisekedi.

The army will see “a turning point towards better conditions” as a result of the pay increases, according to the finance ministry.

Reuters was informed on Thursday by an officer in the province of North Kivu that although he had heard about the raises, troops had not received even their basic salary in the past two months due to banks closing after the collapse of Goma.

“We learned that our pay has been doubled, but we haven’t yet experienced this increase because our salary has been frozen,” stated the cop.

Based on the 2025 budget law, Congo has about 260,000 soldiers and other security personnel. Government records indicate that official monthly pay for all grades have averaged between $100 and $200 since 2022.

What impact the pay increase would have on the budget was not immediately apparent.

This month, parliamentarians were supposed to receive a draft law that would change the 2025 budget, but it hasn’t materialized.

“The budget does not account for these costs. The fact that no one will be able to keep track of the precise numbers and pay of the military men who need to be paid makes this a severe issue, according to Congolese public finance specialist Valery Madianga.

Rwanda claims its forces are defending themselves against Congo’s army and anti-Kigali militias, refuting claims made by Congo and the United Nations that it provides armed and military support to the M23.