Fighting with M23 rebels in eastern Congo has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers, with M23 making significant territorial gains and encircling the city of Goma. The UN Security Council is holding an emergency meeting to address the escalating violence, with Congo’s army repelling an offensive with the help of U.N. troops and Southern African Development Community Mission soldiers.
Rwanda is accused of backing M23, consisting mainly of ethnic Tutsis who broke away from the Congolese army. Rwanda denies this claim but has admitted to having troops in eastern Congo for security reasons. The recent clashes have resulted in the deaths of South African, Uruguayan, and Malawian peacekeepers, with four Uruguayan peacekeepers injured.
Since 2021, Congo’s government, with the support of SAMIDRC and U.N. troops, has been working to keep M23 away from Goma. The UN peacekeeping force, MONUSCO, has been in Congo for over two decades and has around 14,000 peacekeepers on the ground. South Africa’s defense minister was visiting troops in Congo at the time of the soldiers’ deaths.
The situation in eastern Congo remains tense, with civilians at risk as the violence escalates. The involvement of foreign troops and accusations of support from neighboring countries have added complexity to the conflict. Efforts are being made to improve the security of troops operating in challenging conditions in the region.
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