The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) reports heavy casualties inflicted upon the M23 militia group during a fierce battle in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The clash also resulted in the deaths of three South African soldiers, along with casualties from Malawian and Tanzanian troops serving in the SADC peacekeeping mission (SAMIDRC) and a Uruguayan soldier part of the UN Stabilisation Mission (MONUSCO). General Rudzani Maphwanya, SANDF Chief, stated that the M23 is allegedly trained and supported by Rwanda. This incident has escalated tensions between South Africa and Rwanda, with Rwandan President Paul Kagame accusing South Africa of distorting facts and rejecting its role as peacemaker.
The South African National Defence Force ( SANDF ) asserts that the M23 militia group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) suffered significant casualties during a recent intense firefight with the regional peacekeeping force. This force comprises armed personnel from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania.
Concurrently, the United Nations (UN) reported the deaths of three Malawian soldiers, who were part of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC), and a Uruguayan soldier serving with the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) also perished in the battle against M23 rebel fighters. General Rudzani Maphwanya, the Chief of SANDF, stated that the M23 fighters are allegedly trained and supported by the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF), a neighboring country to the DRC. Previous reports from the DRC government, the UN, and the United States have indicated that the M23, a Tutsi-led ethnic group, receives backing from Rwanda. The militia group claims its objective is to safeguard the interests of the Tutsi people in the DRC and other minority groups. On Thursday, General Maphwanya emphasized that the M23 rebels are the root cause of instability in the eastern mineral-rich region of the DRC. He explained that SAMIDRC, deployed in December 2023 to the eastern DRC, established its main operating base in Sake, near Goma, an area plagued by prolonged violence and instability. The primary threat in this region stems from the rebel group, which is alleged to be armed, supported, trained, and accompanied by the Rwandan Defence Force. SAMIDRC executed its mandated tasks, encountering intermittent bombardment from M23 throughout 2024. In response, the regional forces conducted counter-bombardments. On January 23, 2025, the M23 rebels launched a full-scale attack on SAMIDRC troops in an attempt to seize control of Sake and gain access to Goma, the provincial capital of eastern DRC. General Maphwanya highlighted the bravery and determination displayed by the regional soldiers who successfully halted the M23 advance and pushed them back, preventing them from achieving their objective. However, this decisive counter-offensive resulted in the loss of 13 valiant fighters. He further reported that on Monday, several long-range mortar bombs were launched towards Goma airport, with some impacting the SANDF base, leading to the deaths of three additional South African National Defence Force soldiers. General Maphwanya stated that the families of the deceased SANDF members had been notified, and plans were underway to repatriate the remains of the gallant soldiers to South Africa. He disclosed that M23 reported heavy personnel losses and subsequently requested SAMIDRC to cease fire to recover their fallen members around Sake. The request was granted, but with conditions, including a demand for safe passage for injured soldiers to Goma for medical treatment. General Maphwanya reaffirmed the SANDF's commitment to supporting all peace-building efforts aimed at addressing the escalating violence, finding peaceful resolutions to the conflict, and preventing a humanitarian crisis
M23 Democratic Republic Of Congo SANDF Rwanda Peacekeeping Mission Casualties Armed Conflict Instability
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