Two Tanzanian Soldiers Killed in Clashes in Eastern DR Congo
Two Tanzanian soldiers have been killed in clashes over the past 10 days in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Tanzanian army confirmed on Sunday.
The offensive by the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group, which has seized the key city of Goma and vowed to march toward the capital, Kinshasa, has raised concerns among international observers. The conflict marks the latest escalation in a mineral-rich region plagued by decades of violence involving numerous armed groups.
Tanzanian People’s Defence Force (TPDF) soldiers were deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in eastern DRC. Army spokesperson Gaudentius Ilonda confirmed that two soldiers were killed during M23 attacks in the Sake and Goma areas on January 24 and 28. Four others were wounded and are receiving treatment in Goma.
Ilonda stated that remaining units continue their operations under SADC’s mandate, without providing further details. Preparations are underway to repatriate the fallen soldiers.
So far, the ongoing clashes in DRC have also claimed the lives of 13 South African, three Malawian, and one Uruguayan soldier.
Earlier this week, SADC called for a joint summit with the East African Community (EAC) to address the crisis. On Sunday, Rwanda said it would welcome such a meeting but criticized SADC’s involvement in the conflict.
While Rwanda denies providing military support to M23, a United Nations report last July accused Kigali of deploying roughly 4,000 troops in eastern DRC and exerting “de facto” control over the rebel group. Rwanda, in turn, accuses the DRC of harboring the FDLR, an armed group formed by former Hutu leaders responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
