M23 Rebels Strike Goma, Leading to the Deaths of Nine South African Soldiers in DRC Clash
Johannesburg – Ongoing confrontations with the M23 rebel faction in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have led to the loss of nine South African soldiers.
The South African Defence Force (SANDF) reported, “In this courageous fight against M23 rebels, SANDF has sadly lost nine members as of Friday, (24 January 2025), after two days of fierce combat.”
Additionally, three soldiers from Malawi were also killed during the skirmishes.
In a statement released on Saturday, (25 January 2025), the SANDF confirmed that South African forces and their allies successfully thwarted M23’s attempts to move towards Goma, the provincial capital of eastern DRC.
With violence escalating between M23 rebels and government troops, thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes in the eastern DRC.
Recently, M23 rebels have gained control over several towns, encircling Goma.
“The M23 hostile forces launched an all-out assault on our troops aimed at capturing Goma, but they faced a robust defense from our courageous soldiers,” stated the SANDF.
“Our forces not only halted the M23’s progress but also pushed them back.
“The M23 is attempting to take control of Goma, but they are up against significant resistance from the SANDF contingent, which has effectively blocked their access to Goma.”
The SANDF provided information about the fallen soldiers, stating, “Seven of these members were part of the South African contingent deployed in eastern DRC in December 2023 as part of the 16-member regional bloc SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), while two members were from MONUSCO.”
However, the SANDF acknowledged that the level of injuries among personnel has yet to be determined.
In February of the previous year, South Africa dispatched 2,900 troops to aid the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force in combating armed groups in eastern DRC.
RELATED: South Africa Deploys 2,900 Soldiers To DRC To Assist Fight Against Rebels – The Bulrushes
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga, along with deputy ministers Major General Bantu Holomisa, Richard Hlophe, Acting Defence Secretary Dr. Thobekile Gamede, and Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, have expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers and the broader defense community.
Meanwhile, the DRC has cut diplomatic ties with Rwanda, which has been accused of providing support to the M23 rebels.
The DRC has evacuated its diplomats from Kigali as the rebels near Goma.
“Rwanda is intent on controlling the city of Goma,” Congolese army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge informed the media late Saturday.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has consistently denied any connection to the M23, asserting that it is a “DRC Problem.”
UN reports indicate that nearly 400,000 individuals have fled the violence since early January.
The recent killing of Major General Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, who had served as the military governor of North Kivu province since 2023 and was shot near the frontlines on Thursday, (23 January 2025), has sparked panic and hastened the evacuation of worried residents.