Two South African soldiers lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries when a mortar bomb struck their military base in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The incident occurred in Sake, approximately 27 kilometres west of Goma, marking the first casualties since South Africa commenced its deployment to the DRC in December.
The South African army issued a statement on Twitter, indicating that investigations into the incident are ongoing to ascertain its cause.
South Africa, alongside troops from Tanzania and Malawi, forms part of the Southern African Mission in DR Congo (SAMIDRC), aimed at supporting the government in restoring peace, security, and stability in the volatile eastern region.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently ordered the deployment of 2,900 South African soldiers, costing South Africa 2 billion Rand ($105 million). The deployment is scheduled to continue until December, according to the presidency.
Ahead of the attack on the South African base, the M23 rebel group urged Sake residents to continue with their daily activities, pledging to liberate and protect them from perceived threats.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has yet to respond to the statement issued by the M23 rebel group.
The resurgence of violence in eastern DR Congo has resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of people, exacerbating the humanitarian situation in the region.