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.
READ: Rwanda and M23 Attacks in DRC Deepen Mistrust in EAC, Cause Confusion in SADC. Can Tanzania Do More?
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.
On January 31, 2025, SADC held an extraordinary summit of heads of state, during which the summit condemned the attacks on SAMIDRC troops by the M23 armed group and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) operating in eastern DRC.
READ: DRC Must Own Its Crisis And Stop Scapegoating Rwanda for Failures in Eastern Congo
“Summit received the latest reports on the unfolding security situation in the eastern part of the DRC and noted with concern the recent attacks by the M23 armed group and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) on the Government Forces of DRC, the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), and the civilian population in various areas of North Kivu,” read a communique from SADC.
This marked the first time SADC had officially confirmed a direct attack by the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) inside the DRC. Rwanda has rejected the accusation, stating: “The RDF defends Rwanda’s borders from threats and protects civilians, it does not attack civilians.”
