The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo has escalated, with heavy fighting between Congolese forces and M23 rebels. This has led to the deaths of three South African soldiers, according to the South African National Defence Union. The fighting has intensified near major cities, prompting several countries to urge their citizens to leave.
The South African National Defence Union ( SANDU ) has reported the death of three South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members in the ongoing fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As South African defence minister Angie Motshekga prepares to return home from a four-day visit to the DRC, the fighting has intensified, prompting several countries to urge their citizens to leave.
The Congolese army, supported by troops from South Africa as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission, has been engaged in a battle with M23 rebel fighters in eastern DRC for nearly three years. However, the conflict escalated significantly on Thursday and Friday, with clashes occurring outside the major cities of Sake and Goma. While the Department of Defence and SANDF have yet to officially confirm any South African casualties, SANDU has reported the deaths of three SANDF members. In a statement released on Saturday, SANDU expressed their condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the fallen soldiers. They emphasized that their sacrifice, along with the injuries sustained by at least 14 other SANDF members during the ongoing battles, highlights the grave dangers faced by those striving to maintain peace and stability in the region.The heightened violence has prompted the UK, US, and France to advise their citizens to evacuate the city of Goma due to fears that the situation could deteriorate rapidly. South Africa has not yet issued any evacuation notices for Goma, although its defence minister was in the country this week. Kwakwa, spokesperson for the Department of Defence, reassured the public that Motshekga is safe, stating that she was part of a larger delegation to the DRC and that all members are safe. Motshekga's visit, extending until Saturday, aims to bolster bilateral relations between South Africa and the DRC, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defence Cooperation. The Department of Defence stated prior to her visit that Motshekga's engagement would contribute to ongoing efforts to promote peace, stability, and security in the DRC. During her visit, Motshekga also assessed the operational conditions and well-being of South African soldiers deployed in the DRC. Kwakwa emphasized that a comprehensive briefing on Motshekga's visit, including any achievements or resolutions reached, would be provided upon her return
DR Congo M23 South African National Defence Force SANDU Angie Motshekga International Conflict Peacekeeping
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