Six soldiers from Malawi and South Africa fighting under the DRC peacekeeping mission lost their lives as rebels started separate engagements with troops according to Saturday’s statements from officials.
The deaths occurred when rebels ambushed three soldiers of the Malawi Defense Force according to MDF spokesperson Maj. Emmanuel Mlelemba. After vetting the formalities we will ensure their remains will be sent home for honorable burial ceremonies.
South African National Defense Union (Sandu) announced that the M23 rebel group fought three South African soldiers to death along with injuring 14 more soldiers in combat operations. Justice Minister Angie Motshekga was visiting the region at the time of the incident. 
The National Defense Force of South Africa (SANDF) has not provided a formal declaration and staff members say additional details will exist soon.
South Africa’s contribution to the Southern African Development Community Mission in Congo (SAMIDRC) includes 2,900 soldiers who actively assist the Congolese government in fighting M23 rebels while working to stabilize the tense eastern region.
M23 rebel forces pursuing a Rwandan-backed agenda ramp up their offensive to claim key towns while posing a direct threat to Goma in North Kivu province.
The ongoing conflict triggered two significant displacements affecting hundreds of thousands of citizens while Congo still hosts 7 million internally displaced people throughout the nation. Reports indicate the region suffered almost 6 million deaths since 1996 because of ongoing conflicts.
Intervention requests from the international community intensify with increasing violence because officials want to stop another major humanitarian crisis in this conflict-affected area.
