Another Four South African Peacekeepers Lose Lives in the DRC

Synopsis

Four more South African National Defense Force soldiers were killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, raising the total death toll of SANDF peacekeepers to 13 since last week, confirmed South Africa's Department of Defense. The soldiers were caught in the crossfire during clashes between government forces and rebel militias.

Key Takeaways

Four SANDF peacekeepers killed in DRC.
Total death toll reaches 13 since last week.
Clashes between FARDC and M23 rebels near Goma.
Injured soldiers receiving medical attention.
South Africa remains committed to peacekeeping efforts.

Johannesburg, Jan 29 (NationPress) Four more soldiers from the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) have tragically lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which raises the total number of SANDF peacekeepers who have died to 13 since last week, as confirmed by South Africa's Department of Defense (DoD).

"Following an exchange of mortar bombs between the FARDC (Congolese Defense Force) and the M23 (March 23 Movement) rebel group on Monday, January 27, 2025, near Goma Airport, where the SANDF base is located, three SANDF members were caught in the crossfire and lost their lives," the department stated.

The statement further explained that M23 rebels fired multiple mortar bombs toward Goma Airport, which landed in the SANDF base, resulting in the fatalities, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

A fourth peacekeeper succumbed to injuries sustained during the fighting over the last three days, according to the statement. Other injured SANDF personnel are currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Goma, the capital of the DRC's North Kivu province.

This incident followed the deaths of nine South African soldiers on Friday after two days of intense combat, as noted in a previous DoD statement released on Saturday.

On Monday evening, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke with his Rwandan counterpart concerning the escalating violence in eastern DRC.

The SANDF soldiers are part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), deployed to assist the government of Africa's second-largest nation in restoring peace, security, and stability.

"The SANDF remains fully committed to its peacekeeping duties under the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and SAMIDRC," the defense department stated in its announcement on Tuesday.