Regional tensions spiral as SA peacekeepers are killed after Kigali-backed M23 rebel group launches Congo offensive
South Africa has warned that further attacks against its peacekeeping forces by Rwandan-backed rebels would be a “declaration of war”, as regional tensions spiralled following a major new offensive in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thirteen soldiers from South Africa, deployed as part of a regional peacekeeping force, have been killed since the Rwandan-backed M23 militia last week launched an assault on Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province in eastern DRC. They have largely seized the city and on Thursday moved into the neighbouring province of South Kivu, according to local media reports and civil society groups, opening a new front and advancing towards the city of Bukavu. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday blamed M23 and Rwanda’s national army, which he described as a “militia”, for the deaths. The country’s defence minister Angie Motshekga said the president warned Rwanda that “if you’re going to fire, we’ll take it as a declaration of war and we have to defend our people”. PLAY | 00:59 Show video description Fighting rages on in Goma as M23 rebels take control © Reuters Motshekga said the latest South African casualties had been hit by friendly fire from Rwandan soldiers, and that the South African army had negotiated a temporary truce with the rebels to retrieve the corpses. It was unclear how long the truce will last, or its terms. More than 100 people have been killed in the fighting in Goma and another 1.5mn displaced, many of whom had sought refuge in the lakeside city from other conflicts in the area. M23 claims it now controls the city. DRC’s mineral-rich eastern flank has been mired in conflict for decades and is largely cut off from the capital Kinshasa, which is nearly two days away by road. Dozens of militias including M23, which is backed by more than 4,000 Rwandan troops according to UN experts, are competing for influence and access to essential metals used in everyday devices such as iPhones. Rwanda has been accused of exploiting DRC for its mineral resources.