South Africa, Malawi, and Uruguay have confirmed the deaths of soldiers during intense battles with M23 rebel fighters in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The clashes come as the rebels attempted to advance on Goma, a key city in the mineral-rich region.

The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) announced that nine of its soldiers lost their lives while resisting the M23’s offensive.

“The M23 hostile forces had launched a full-scale attack on our troops with the intention of taking over Goma but were unable to advance due to the heroic resistance put up by our gallant fighters.”
South African National Defense Force

Despite halting the rebels’ advance, the SANDF reported that several soldiers sustained varying degrees of injuries, though the exact number is yet to be confirmed.

Two of the fallen South African soldiers were part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, while the other seven served under the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) commended the efforts of SAMIDRC troops on X.

“The rebel group M23 attacked the SAMIDRC in Goma to which SAMIDRC retaliated and successfully repelled the armed group. SADC commends the actions of the brave men and women from SAMIDRC who sacrificed their lives for the Region.”
Southern African Development Community

Malawi also mourned the loss of three soldiers killed in the same conflict.

“We confirm the loss of three of our courageous soldiers who were part of the SADC Mission in the DRC. These soldiers fell in the line of duty during an encounter with the M23 rebel group operating in eastern DRC. As the situation remains volatile, further details will be shared later.”
Malawi Defence Force spokesman Emmanuel Mlelemba

Uruguay confirmed the death of one of its peacekeepers, with four others wounded during the clashes. The Uruguayan soldiers were part of the MONUSCO mission, which has been operating in the DRC for over two decades.

UN Security Council Responds to Escalation

The United Nations Security Council has rescheduled an emergency meeting initially planned for Monday to Sunday following a request from Kinshasa. The meeting will include a briefing from Bintou Keita, head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo.

Meanwhile, tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali have escalated, with the DRC announcing the withdrawal of its diplomats from Rwanda. A letter from the Congolese Foreign Ministry to the Rwandan Embassy dated January 24 confirmed the decision.

The conflict in eastern Congo has drawn international attention due to accusations that Rwanda is backing the M23 rebels. The armed group, composed primarily of ethnic Tutsis, broke away from the Congolese army over a decade ago and has since been a significant destabilizing force in the region.

MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, has approximately 14,000 peacekeepers deployed across the country. Despite its presence, the eastern DRC remains a hotspot of violence, with various armed groups vying for control over the region’s vast mineral resources.

As the situation unfolds, the deaths of soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Uruguay highlight the continued challenges of restoring peace and stability in the region.