Four members of a southern African regional force deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been killed while on duty in the troubled area, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced on Monday.
In a statement, the regional bloc said three Tanzanian soldiers attached to the Southern SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) died after a mortar attack on their camp while three of their compatriots were injured.
“This unfortunate incident happened after a hostile mortar round had fallen near the camp they were staying (in),” SADC said without saying when the incident occurred.
It added: “SAMIDRC hereby also informs the public of the passing of a South African soldier who died while receiving treatment due to health challenges in a hospital in Goma, DRC.”
The soldiers were deployed under auspices of SADC as part of a regional response to address the unstable and deteriorating security situation prevailing in eastern DRC.
JN/APA