South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says his country is determined to restore peace and stability in eastern of the Democratic Republic of Congo despite having tragically lost some of its soldiers in the fighting.
At least six South African National Defense Force (SANDF) soldiers have so far lost their lives with dozens more injured since the deployment of the force in eastern DRC to fight the rampant M23 rebels.
In the latest unfortunate incident affecting the SANDF last Wednesday June 25 in Sake, a mortar attack was launched targeting one of the South Africans’ bases leaving two soldiers dead and 20 others badly injured.
However despite these tragic losses, Ramaphosa says the SANDF will remain at the war-front supporting the Congolese government.
“As we mourn the deaths and losses inflicted on our soldiers, we appreciate and are humbled by the sacrifices they made for the cause of peace and stability in our region, and they will not be forgotten,” President Ramaphosa was quoted as saying by his spokesperson.
The M23 rebel fighters have in the past few days initiated retaliation attacks against the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and its supporting forces who ambushed the rebels’ camps in several territories in the east.
