The Tanzanian army has confirmed that two of its soldiers were killed in eastern Congo following attacks by M23 rebels. The army also stated that arrangements to transport the bodies from Goma are being coordinated by the SADC secretariat.
“Following the series of attacks in the areas of Sake and Goma carried out by M23 rebels on January 24 and 28, 2025, the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) has lost two of its soldiers, while four others have been injured. The injured soldiers are receiving medical treatment in Goma,” read a statement from the TPDF, signed by Colonel Gaudentius Gervas Ilonda, Acting TPDF Spokesperson.
Tanzania is contributing troops to the SADC mission in the DRC alongside Malawi and South Africa. Malawi has confirmed the deaths of three of its soldiers, while South Africa has reported the loss of thirteen soldiers.
With confirmation coming from Tanzania, at least 20 peacekeepers have been killed in eastern Congo since last week after violence erupted when M23 launched a major offensive against the Congolese army, leading to heavy clashes in and around Goma.
Fourteen of the 20 slain peacekeepers are from South Africa. According to the UN, the fighting has left at least 700 people dead and 2,800 injured over the past five days.
Thousands have been displaced, with many fleeing to neighboring Rwanda, including international organization staff from the UN and the World Bank.
The crisis has overwhelmed hospitals and mortuaries, with the Congo Health Ministry claiming 773 bodies were in morgues as of Jan. 30. Some remain on the streets due to overcrowding.
Despite the casualties, the TPDF assured that its remaining forces in Congo, operating under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission, are “safe and continuing their peacekeeping duties.”
The M23 group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, is engaged in a long-standing conflict with Congolese forces. It has claimed control over Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Congo, however, has vowed to reclaim the city of around 3 million people.
Meanwhile, Rwanda rejected accusations against its armed forces made in the joint statement of the Jan. 31 extraordinary summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held in Harare, Zimbabwe.
“The RDF defends Rwanda’s borders from threats and protects civilians, it does not attack civilians,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.
The SADC had condemned attacks on the mission’s troops by M23 rebels and the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) operating in eastern Congo.
It said the actions of M23 and RDF violated the ceasefire that was mediated by Angola’s President Joao Lourenco last July, and undermines peace and security of Congo and the SADC.
The summit reiterated support to diplomatic efforts to secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and urged to initiate a ceasefire process.
