The Tanzanian People’s Defence Force (TPDF) has confirmed the deaths of two of its soldiers in recent clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The soldiers were part of a regional deployment under the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which has been engaged in operations against the M23 rebel group.
The M23, a Rwandan-backed armed faction, has escalated its offensive in the mineral-rich region, capturing the major city of Goma and threatening to advance towards the capital, Kinshasa. The renewed hostilities have raised concerns among international observers, given the long history of conflict in the area.
According to TPDF spokesperson Gaudentius Ilonda, the soldiers were killed during attacks in Sake and Goma on January 24 and 28, 2025. Additionally, four other Tanzanian troops sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in Goma.
“The Tanzanian People’s Defence Force has lost two soldiers following a series of attacks carried out by M23 rebels. Our forces continue to operate under the mandate of SADC to ensure regional stability,” Ilonda said.
Efforts are underway to repatriate the bodies of the fallen soldiers to Tanzania. The casualties add to the growing toll on SADC forces in the DRC, which has also seen the deaths of 13 South African, three Malawian, and one Uruguayan soldier in recent clashes.
The intensification of conflict has prompted calls for a joint summit between SADC and the East African Community (EAC). On Sunday, Rwanda expressed openness to such a meeting but also criticized SADC’s involvement in DRC.
While Rwanda denies direct military support for the M23, a United Nations report from July 2024 alleged that Kigali had deployed approximately 4,000 troops in eastern DRC, exerting “de facto” control over the group. Rwanda, in turn, accuses DRC of supporting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group linked to Hutu leaders involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
As tensions rise, regional efforts to broker peace remain uncertain. The continued instability in eastern DRC threatens to draw in more international stakeholders, prolonging the humanitarian crisis in a region already plagued by decades of violence. Observers await further diplomatic engagements between SADC, EAC, and other international partners in hopes of de-escalating the conflict.
