A group of critically injured South African peacekeepers wounded in intense fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been evacuated by the United Nations, the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) confirmed on Tuesday.
SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini told The Associated Press that the injured soldiers had returned to South Africa after receiving treatment at a hospital in Goma, a city currently controlled by M23 rebels. However, he did not disclose the exact number of those repatriated.
South African Soldiers Caught in Conflict
Goma, a city of two million people, was seized by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in January, intensifying an already volatile conflict in Congo’s mineral-rich east. The rebels, reportedly supported by around 4,000 Rwandan troops, now control Goma and Bukavu, the two largest cities in eastern Congo. The offensive has claimed approximately 7,000 lives, according to Congolese authorities.
South Africa has been leading a Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission in Congo, but its involvement has come under scrutiny at home. Political parties and military unions have raised concerns over whether the soldiers were adequately equipped and prepared for the conflict.
Evacuation and Medical Concerns
According to Pikkie Greef, national secretary of the South African National Defense Union, more than 100 sick and injured South African soldiers are being evacuated, with at least three requiring urgent medical attention. He also revealed that two pregnant female soldiers were among those returning home, though SANDF declined to comment on this.
The injured soldiers were reportedly evacuated through Rwanda, with another group expected to be repatriated later this week.
Casualties and Ongoing Operations
In January, 14 South African peacekeepers were killed in the fighting, with President Cyril Ramaphosa stating they died in rebel attacks on peacekeepers. Their bodies were repatriated earlier.
The M23 spokesperson claimed that up to 300 foreign soldiers had left eastern Congo this week, including injured South African troops.
The instability in the region has also affected Malawian and Tanzanian soldiers, who are part of the Southern African peacekeeping force. Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera recently announced plans to withdraw Malawian troops following the deaths of at least three Malawian soldiers in January.
Meanwhile, the planned withdrawal of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo (MONUSCO) has been put on hold, as violence continues to escalate.