South Africa is sending 2,900 soldiers to the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo to help fight armed groups.
This mission is part of a bigger plan with countries from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and will last until 15 December 2024.
This is happening because there have been fights between a group called M23 and Congo’s army.
The mission will cost about R2-billion.
This decision is in line with South Africa’s commitment to assist as a member of the SADC nations. The money spent on this mission will not compromise the regular operations of South Africa’s defence forces.
The SADC group will be working with soldiers from Malawi and Tanzania. They started fighting the M23 rebels last month.
This is happening at a time when Congo wants UN peacekeepers to leave. These peacekeepers have been there since 1999 trying to help with the fights in eastern Congo.
Even with help from other countries, fighting has been going on in Congo for a long time.
The Congolese government hasn’t been happy with the UN peacekeepers, saying they haven’t done enough to protect people.
Now, with some groups leaving, the soldiers from the SADC, including the ones from South Africa, will try to stop the fighting.
Because of conflict, over six million people have had to leave their homes, with many living in camps.
Pictured above: South African Army.
Image source: X
