South African Peacekeepers Killed Amid Escalating Violence in DRC
Three South African peacekeepers were killed in escalating fighting in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, intensified their offensive. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the conflict has displaced thousands and heightened security concerns for the key city of Goma. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis remain stalled amid ongoing violence and humanitarian challenges.
Three South African peacekeepers have tragically lost their lives in fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as hostilities escalated between the Congolese army and Rwandan-backed M23 fighters. The violence intensified despite international appeals for a cessation of hostilities. Recent combat in the vicinity of Goma, a city of over one million people, has displaced many and raised urgent humanitarian concerns.
The conflict has worsened near Goma following failed peace negotiations led by Angola, leading to significant advances by the M23 and Rwandan forces. An AFP journalist observed the remnants of UN peacekeeping forces on the road to Sake, another contested area. Despite the fighting, daily life in Goma appeared relatively normal, though artillery fire could be heard at a distance.
The European Union has demanded an immediate withdrawal of M23 forces, condemning Rwanda’s military involvement in violation of international law and DRC sovereignty. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas voiced serious concerns about the implications of M23’s aggression on Goma’s security and humanitarian situations.
In response to escalating violence, evacuations of non-essential UN personnel have commenced, with international governments urging their citizens in Goma to leave the area. The United Nations peacekeeping force, MONUSCO, reported recent engagements with M23 fighters and emphasized their military operations against the insurgents.
The Democratic Alliance in South Africa confirmed the death and injuries of their peacekeepers during an M23 assault near Sake, part of a broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) intervention in the crisis. As a contingency, South Africa deployed 2,900 troops to support the SADC peacekeeping mission.
The UN Security Council has convened an emergency meeting to deliberate on the rising crisis as the Secretary-General expressed alarm over the uptick in violence, which risks triggering broader regional instability. Medical teams have treated many casualties in Goma, where approximately 400,000 individuals have fled due to ongoing conflicts.
The M23, which previously occupied Goma in 2012, continues to fuel violence, with diplomatic resolutions remaining ineffective. Accusations persist regarding Rwanda’s motives for intervention in eastern DRC, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation fraught with prior ceasefires that have ultimately failed.
The conflict in eastern DRC has persisted for over 30 years, primarily involving various armed groups vying for control over lucrative mineral resources. The M23 group has a well-documented history of conflict with the Congolese government and is known for its support from Rwanda, adding complexity to the regional dynamics. Failed peace negotiations and ongoing violence have compounded the humanitarian crisis, leading to mass displacements and urgent international intervention discussions.
Recent violent clashes in eastern DRC have resulted in the deaths of South African peacekeepers, raising alarm over humanitarian conditions and regional security. International calls for halting hostilities have emerged, yet fighting continues unabated. Ongoing diplomatic efforts have thus far proven ineffective in resolving the crisis, with millions suffering the consequences of prolonged conflict.
Original Source: www.france24.com
