DRC: M23 rebel ambush kills SA soldier, 13 injured

A South African soldier was killed and 13 others were injured in a clash with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

This was announced by the South African National Defence Force in a statement on Friday.

The defence force statement explained that soldiers, who were deployed to Congo as part of its contribution to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force sent to tame the insecurity there, came in contact with the rebels in the eastern town of Sake.

It added that 13 members were injured and one was fatally wounded. Two armoured personnel carriers were also destroyed in the violent confrontation.

Recall that the United States government, early this year, condemned escalating violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Washington blamed the worsening crisis on M23, an armed group it said is backed by Rwanda.

Eastern DRC has been plagued by unrest for many years, but conflict and violence have worsened dramatically since 2022.

Over 6 million people are estimated to be displaced in the eastern DRC, making this the worst displacement crisis in Africa and among the top three globally, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF.

Regional efforts to stem the clashes recently received a boost as South Africa deployed about 2,900 troops as part of its contribution to a force deployed by the southern African regional bloc, SADC.