By Staff Reporter
PRETORIA – The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed the death of four of its soldiers deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the ongoing fight against the M23 rebels.
This tragic incident brings the total number of SANDF casualties in the DRC to at least 17, as the conflict intensifies between Congolese forces and the armed group.
The four soldiers were killed while participating in peacekeeping and military operations in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, where tensions have been running high due to the ongoing insurgency led by M23.
Reports indicate that 370 SANDF soldiers were also injured during this engagement.
The M23, or March 23 Movement, is one of the numerous armed factions operating in the DRC’s volatile eastern region, particularly in North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda and Uganda.
With an estimated 8,000 fighters, the group has been a major source of instability since its formation in 2012.
The M23 was originally formed by former soldiers of the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) after they mutinied against the Congolese government.
The rebels’ grievances stem from the failure of the Congolese government to uphold a 2009 peace agreement, which promised to integrate Tutsi fighters into the national army, ensure the protection of minority groups, and fairly distribute the country’s abundant resources.
The M23 claims its mission is to safeguard the interests of the Congolese Tutsi community and other minority groups, particularly from Hutu rebel factions who fled to the DRC after participating in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The conflict between M23 and Congolese forces has been ongoing for years, contributing to one of the world’s deadliest humanitarian crises.
Despite the presence of international peacekeepers, including those from South Africa, the situation remains perilous, with civilians caught in the crossfire.
