Fighting with M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo left six United Nations peacekeepers dead, UN officials said Saturday.
The scene is the result of the invasion of Goma on January 27th by M23, an armed group under the control of Rwanda, Congo’s neighbour, which abuts the city. Paul Kagame, Rwanda’s president, has escalated a crisis whose origins go back decades.
They may be on opposite sides of the Congolese battlefield only by proxy, but Pretoria and Kigali are now trading undiplomatic warnings. The war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is also stirring up old disputes between the two countries.
Regional tensions spiral as peacekeepers killed in fighting following Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group offensive
Violent clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo have escalated as the M23 rebel group takes control of Goma, resulting in the deaths of 13 South African Defense Force soldiers and a humanitarian crisis.
Four more South African soldiers have been killed in fighting with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the government said, taking the number of South African peacekeepers killed to 13 since the conflict escalated last week.
By Yassin Kombi and Sonia Rolley GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -President Paul Kagame said Rwanda was ready for "confrontation" as he rejected criticism over his backing for M23 rebels who were pushing south on Thursday in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after capturing the major city of Goma.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accuses Rwanda of backing M23 rebels behind escalating crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo this week
Goma in Eastern DRC was captured by the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda. This swift takeover highlights significant issues within the DRC's political and military structures. Explore the historical roots of this conflict and its implications for peace in the region.
Congolese nationals in Durban voice their frustration over the ongoing conflict in the DRC, blaming external influences and calling for action from the international community
The Rwanda-backed armed group M23 vowed Thursday to "continue the march of liberation" to the DR Congo capital Kinshasa, as its fighters made further advances in the mineral-rich east of the country.