2 Tanzanian soldiers among 20 dead peacekeepers in eastern Congo

The Tanzanian People’s Defense Force (TPDF) said its two soldiers were killed during attacks by M23 rebels in the town of Sake and Goma on Jan. 24 and Jan. 28, respectively.

Four others were injured in the attacks, it said.

With confirmation coming from Tanzania, at least 20 peacekeepers have been killed in eastern Congo since last week after violence erupted when M23 launched a major offensive against the Congolese army, leading to heavy clashes in and around Goma.

Fourteen of the 20 slain peacekeepers are from South Africa. According to the UN, the fighting has left at least 700 people dead and 2,800 injured over the past five days.

Thousands have been displaced, with many fleeing to neighboring Rwanda, including international organization staff from the UN and the World Bank.

The crisis has overwhelmed hospitals and mortuaries, with the Congo Health Ministry claiming 773 bodies were in morgues as of Jan. 30. Some remain on the streets due to overcrowding.

Despite the casualties, the TPDF assured that its remaining forces in Congo, operating under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission, are “safe and continuing their peacekeeping duties.”

Transport procedures for the bodies of the fallen soldiers and the injured are ongoing through the SADC Secretariat.

The M23 group, engaged in a long-standing conflict with Congolese forces, has claimed control over Goma, the capital of North Kivu province which borders Rwanda. Kinshasa has vowed to reclaim the city of around 3 million people.