Nine South African Soldiers Killed in DRC as M23 Rebels Attack Goma
Johannesburg – Ongoing clashes with the M23 rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have resulted in the deaths of nine South African soldiers.
The South African Defence Force (SANDF) announced, “In the course of this gallant resistance against M23 rebels, SANDF lost nine members by Friday, (24 January 2025), following two days of intense fighting.”
Additionally, three soldiers from Malawi also lost their lives in the confrontation.
In a statement issued on Saturday, (25 January 2025), the SANDF reported that South African forces and their partners successfully halted the M23’s advance toward Goma, the provincial capital of eastern DRC.
As violence escalates between M23 rebels and government forces, thousands of civilians have fled their homes in eastern DRC.
In recent days, the M23 rebels have taken several towns, surrounding Goma.
“The M23 hostile forces launched a full-scale attack on our troops, aiming to seize Goma, but they were thwarted by the heroic resistance from our brave fighters,” stated the SANDF.
“Our forces not only stopped the M23’s advance but also pushed them back.
“The M23’s goals include taking over the city of Goma, but they faced significant resistance from the SANDF contingent, which successfully prevented their entry into Goma.”
The SANDF provided details regarding the soldiers killed, noting, “Seven of these members were part of the South African contingent deployed in the eastern DRC in December 2023 as part of the 16-member regional bloc SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), and two members were from MONUSCO.”
However, the SANDF stated that the number of injured personnel has not yet been determined.
In February of last year, South Africa deployed 2,900 troops to contribute to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force aimed at combating armed groups in eastern DRC.
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Expressions of sympathy have been conveyed to the families of the fallen soldiers and the broader defence community by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga, along with deputy ministers Major General Bantu Holomisa, Richard Hlophe, acting defence secretary Dr. Thobekile Gamede, and the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya.
In the meantime, the DRC has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda, which has been accused of supporting the M23 rebels.
The DRC has withdrawn its diplomats from Kigali as the rebels approach Goma.
“Rwanda is determined to take control of the city of Goma,” Congolese army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge informed reporters late Saturday.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has consistently denied any support for the M23, asserting that it is a “DRC Problem.”
The UN reports that nearly 400,000 individuals have fled the fighting since the start of January.
The recent death of Major General Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, the military governor of North Kivu province since 2023, who was shot near the frontline on Thursday, (23 January 2025), has incited panic and accelerated the exodus of anxious residents.