GOMA, DRC – South African Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has visited members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) stationed in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following last week’s deadly attack by M23 rebels.
The minister, accompanied by senior military officials, toured a field hospital where dozens of injured SANDF members are receiving medical treatment after a fierce two-day battle.
Thirteen soldiers were killed when the rebels launched a large-scale assault aimed at capturing Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.
The South African troops were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), a regional peacekeeping force deployed to stabilise the conflict-ridden eastern DRC.
The mission was endorsed at the SADC Extraordinary Summit in Harare in May 2023, where regional leaders committed to deploying forces to curb the resurgence of armed groups, particularly M23.
The Harare summit came amid growing concerns over escalating violence in the DRC, with SADC leaders reaffirming their commitment to restoring stability in the mineral-rich but conflict-prone eastern provinces.
The bloc pledged a military intervention under SAMIDRC, following the failure of diplomatic efforts to broker peace between the DRC government and the M23 rebels.
South Africa, alongside Tanzania, Malawi, and Angola, committed troops to the mission, replacing the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), which withdrew in late 2023 due to operational and political challenges.
The SANDF contingent, deployed in December 2023, has been engaged in combat operations alongside the Congolese Armed Forces and other regional troops.
Last week’s clashes erupted as M23 rebels launched an aggressive offensive, attempting to seize key positions in Goma.
SANDF forces, supported by regional allies, mounted a determined defence, managing to repel the rebels but suffering heavy casualties.
Despite the setbacks, South Africa remains committed to SAMIDRC’s mandate, with Defence Minister Motshekga reaffirming Pretoria’s support for peace efforts in the region. “Our troops are here to fulfil an important mission, and their sacrifices will not be in vain,” she stated during her visit.
The March 23 Movement (M23), a Tutsi-led rebel group, has been a persistent destabilising force in eastern DRC since its resurgence in 2021.
The group claims that Kinshasa failed to honour a 2009 peace agreement, which promised political integration and military amnesty for its fighters.
Backed by intelligence reports alleging support from Rwanda, M23 has captured vast territories, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.
The conflict has strained relations between Kinshasa and Kigali, with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi repeatedly accusing Rwanda of sponsoring the rebels—allegations that Rwanda denies.
The African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), and SADC have called for a peaceful resolution, but military engagement has remained the primary approach.