13 UN Peacekeepers Killed in Clashes with Rebel Groups in Congo
The South African military has reported that nine of its soldiers were killed while aiding efforts to halt the advance of rebels in Goma, a city in eastern DR Congo. Among the other casualties were three Malawian soldiers and one Uruguayan peacekeeper.
13 UN Peacekeepers Killed in Clashes with Rebel Groups in Congo
13 UN Peacekeepers Killed in Clashes with Rebel Groups in Congo
The South African military has reported that nine of its soldiers were killed while aiding efforts to halt the advance of rebels in Goma, a city in eastern DR Congo. Among the other casualties were three Malawian soldiers and one Uruguayan peacekeeper.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that he has spoken with the leaders of DR Congo and Rwanda, urging an end to the violence amidst growing global calls for peace. As the conflict escalates, the United Nations is evacuating all non-essential staff from Goma, a city with a population of over one million.
Due to the worsening situation, the United Nations Security Council meeting originally scheduled for Monday has been moved up to Sunday. The M23 rebel group has called on Congolese soldiers to surrender in Goma to prevent further bloodshed.
Meanwhile, DR Congo has severed diplomatic ties with neighboring Rwanda, accusing it of supporting the rebellion. The move comes after M23 fighters killed a Congolese military governor who was inspecting the frontlines on Thursday.
In early January, the M23 group captured the strategic towns of Minova and Masisi in eastern Congo. According to the United Nations, the conflict has already displaced over 400,000 people this year.
On Saturday, French President Macron’s office confirmed that he held separate phone calls with the leaders of DR Congo and Rwanda, urging them to work towards halting the war.
