Tanzania has confirmed the deaths of two of its soldiers in ongoing clashes between M23 rebels and the Congolese military in eastern Congo. The soldiers were killed in separate attacks in Sake and Goma, with four others injured.
At least 20 peacekeepers, including 14 from South Africa, have died in the recent fighting, with casualties also reported among Malawian and UN forces. The UN estimates that over 700 people have been killed and 2,800 injured in the past week, as thousands flee to Rwanda.
The M23 rebels, accused of seeking control over the region’s natural resources and allegedly backed by Rwanda—a claim Kigali denies—have claimed control of Goma. The Congolese government has vowed to reclaim the city.
The ongoing conflict has caused a worsening humanitarian crisis, with shortages of food and water and overcrowded morgues. The UN has called for an urgent end to the violence.