![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaSouth African troops killed in DR Congo: What is behind the Sadc deployment?Published12 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, AFPImage caption, South Africa plans to contribute 2,900 troops in total to a new regional force in DR CongoBy Ian WafulaBBC News, Africa security correspondentSouth African troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo have suffered their first fatalities since their recent deployment to quell a rebellion.Two soldiers were killed and three were injured after a mortar bomb landed in their base on Wednesday.The attack has led to South African opposition politicians calling for the withdrawal of troops from DR Congo.The troops are part of a regional force helping DR Congo’s military as it confronts a series of armed groups.BBC Africa Live: Updates from around the continentPanic in DR Congo city as rebels advanceThe most prominent group is the M23, which has taken up positions on the major routes leading into Goma, the main city in the east of DR Congo.Th M23’s advance has resulted in tens of thousands being forced from their homes – adding to the nearly seven million who have fled because of multiple conflicts in the east.But the South African army has not linked Wednesday’s attack to the M23.In a statement, it says the “details of this incident are still sketchy”.South Africa began deploying troops to eastern DR Congo in December under the banner of the 16-member regional bloc, the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).They are taking over from the Kenyan-led East African Force (EAF), which left in December – about a year after it was welcomed by President Félix Tshisekedi.He was re-elected in December for a second term in office – and one of his key campaign promises was to tackle the insecurity that has wracked the east of the country for three decades.What reason has been given for the deployment?Sadc has acted in the interests of solidarity, as DR Congo is part of the regional grouping.. It previously warned that an attack against one of its members would be met with “immediate collective action”, and its troops would help DR Congo’s military in “fighting” armed groups.This view is more in tune with Mr Tshisekedi’s – he wants a partner who will tackle the rebels head on.Mr Tshisekedi booted out the EAF, accusing it of being ineffective and refusing to go on the offensive against the M23. He has also ordered a UN force, which has been in the country for around 25 years, to leave by the end of 2024 after levelling similar accusations against it.Can the Sadc force succeed?South Africa is the regional superpower, and will form the backbone of the force. Mr Tshisekedi is hoping that it will repeat the success it had during a previous deployment. That was more than a decade ago, when the M23 – accused of being backed by Rwanda – also made huge territorial gains in the resource-rich east. Though then operating under the banner of a UN Intervention Brigade, Sadc troops forced the M23 to retreat. The M23 has since regrouped after a peace deal floundered, and is once again on the offensive.Remadji Hoinathy, an analyst with the South Africa-headquartered Institute for Security Studies, said the M23 was now stronger and better equipped. The AFP news agency has quoted a UN document as saying that the Rwandan army is using sophisticated weapons such as surface-to-air missiles to support the M23.Rwanda has consistently denied backing the rebel group. What is the strength of the Sadc force?Dr Hoinathy said there was no clarity on its strength, but South Africa had a strong and well-equipped army. Earlier this week, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said that 2,900 troops were to be deployed, without saying how many were already in DR Congo. Malawi and Tanzania are also sending soldiers, but have not yet given any details.South Africa’s two biggest opposition parties – the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), are not happy about the deployment and not convinced about the effectiveness of the troops.At a press conference on Thursday, EFF leader Julius Malema called for the immediate withdrawal of South African soldiers from DR Congo.”They [South African troops] are sent there to be killed because they are not properly trained,” he said.”We just don’t have the army. The ANC has collapsed the army,” Mr Malema added, referring to the governing party, the African National Congress (ANC).DA defence spokesman Kobus Marais said on X, formerly Twitter, that the fatalities were “avoidable”, and the government had been warned that the deployment was “irresponsible and unacceptable”. Mr Ramaphosa defended the deployment in parliament, saying South Africa was “part of peace-keeping missions all over the world”. “We salute our defence force personnel who brave great dangers to make Africa a more peaceful and stable continent. That is what we applaud them for and we dip our heads for those who are injured and for those who may have fallen,” Mr Ramaphosa said.More on DR Congo:DR Congo squad use Afcon spotlight to call for peaceWhy TikTokers are quitting vapes over DR CongoA quick guide to DR CongoRelated TopicsSouth AfricaDemocratic Republic of CongoAround the BBCFocus on Africa podcastsTop StoriesLive. ‘Catastrophic’ situation at Nasser hospital as Israeli troops carry out raidRushing stretchers through the smoke at Gaza hospital. VideoRushing stretchers through the smoke at Gaza hospitalPublished24 minutes agoUK fell into recession after people cut spendingPublished38 minutes agoFeaturesFaisal Islam: Should we care that the UK is in recession?What is a recession and how could it affect me?Why Putin’s backing for Biden is not what it seemsUkraine battles frostbite and shell shortage in ruined townRushing stretchers through the smoke at Gaza hospital. VideoRushing stretchers through the smoke at Gaza hospitalTribute to black women wins at Rio Carnival paradeFace to face with inmates in El Salvador’s mega-jailIncident Room – Measles Outbreak: Why Now? VideoIncident Room – Measles Outbreak: Why Now?AttributioniPlayerDenise Welch: I’ve had to come to terms with my pastElsewhere on the BBCHow did a booming computer manufacturer go bust?Commodore computers were huge in the 1980s, so why couldn’t the business adapt and survive?AttributionSoundsThe sound effect that became the ultimate movie in-jokeIt’s used in everything from Toy Story to Reservoir Dogs, but what is the Wilhelm Scream?AttributioniPlayerThe video game that changed the way we playLouise Hidalgo spoke to Nolan Bushnell, one of the creators of PongAttributionSoundsA paranormal conspiracy, rooted in grisly real-life murderDiscover the dark origins of a legend…AttributioniPlayerMost Read1Tributes paid to young farmer who was shot dead2Teenager stabbed to death by masked attackers3Pontins discriminated against Irish Travellers – EHRC4Four-month-old boy dies after van and taxi crash5Lioness, Suffragette: New lines on Tube map revealed6UK fell into recession after people cut spending7Denise Welch: I’ve had to come to terms with my past8Queen joins a dozen dames to celebrate Shakespeare9Why Putin’s backing for Biden is not what it seems10One dead and 21 injured in Super Bowl parade shooting](https://newsinsightplus.com/wp-content/uploads/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/15635/production/_132650678_gettyimages-1985369141.jpg)
newsinsightplus.com
- 16member
- 1980s
- February 15, 2024
- 0 Comments
BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaSouth African troops killed in DR Congo: What is behind the Sadc deployment?Published12 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, AFPImage caption, South Africa plans to contribute 2,900 troops in total to a new regional force in DR CongoBy Ian WafulaBBC News, Africa security correspondentSouth African troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo have suffered their first fatalities since their recent deployment to quell a rebellion.Two soldiers were killed and three were injured after a mortar bomb landed in their base on Wednesday.The attack has led to South African opposition politicians calling for the withdrawal of troops from DR Congo.The troops are part of a regional force helping DR Congo’s military as it confronts a series of armed groups.BBC Africa Live: Updates from around the continentPanic in DR Congo city as rebels advanceThe most prominent group is the M23, which has taken up positions on the major routes leading into Goma, the main city in the east of DR Congo.Th M23’s advance has resulted in tens of thousands being forced from their homes – adding to the nearly seven million who have fled because of multiple conflicts in the east.But the South African army has not linked Wednesday’s attack to the M23.In a statement, it says the “details of this incident are still sketchy”.South Africa began deploying troops to eastern DR Congo in December under the banner of the 16-member regional bloc, the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).They are taking over from the Kenyan-led East African Force (EAF), which left in December – about a year after it was welcomed by President Félix Tshisekedi.He was re-elected in December for a second term in office – and one of his key campaign promises was to tackle the insecurity that has wracked the east of the country for three decades.What reason has been given for the deployment?Sadc has acted in the interests of solidarity, as DR Congo is part of the regional grouping.. It previously warned that an attack against one of its members would be met with “immediate collective action”, and its troops would help DR Congo’s military in “fighting” armed groups.This view is more in tune with Mr Tshisekedi’s – he wants a partner who will tackle the rebels head on.Mr Tshisekedi booted out the EAF, accusing it of being ineffective and refusing to go on the offensive against the M23. He has also ordered a UN force, which has been in the country for around 25 years, to leave by the end of 2024 after levelling similar accusations against it.Can the Sadc force succeed?South Africa is the regional superpower, and will form the backbone of the force. Mr Tshisekedi is hoping that it will repeat the success it had during a previous deployment. That was more than a decade ago, when the M23 – accused of being backed by Rwanda – also made huge territorial gains in the resource-rich east. Though then operating under the banner of a UN Intervention Brigade, Sadc troops forced the M23 to retreat. The M23 has since regrouped after a peace deal floundered, and is once again on the offensive.Remadji Hoinathy, an analyst with the South Africa-headquartered Institute for Security Studies, said the M23 was now stronger and better equipped. The AFP news agency has quoted a UN document as saying that the Rwandan army is using sophisticated weapons such as surface-to-air missiles to support the M23.Rwanda has consistently denied backing the rebel group. What is the strength of the Sadc force?Dr Hoinathy said there was no clarity on its strength, but South Africa had a strong and well-equipped army. Earlier this week, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said that 2,900 troops were to be deployed, without saying how many were already in DR Congo. Malawi and Tanzania are also sending soldiers, but have not yet given any details.South Africa’s two biggest opposition parties – the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), are not happy about the deployment and not convinced about the effectiveness of the troops.At a press conference on Thursday, EFF leader Julius Malema called for the immediate withdrawal of South African soldiers from DR Congo.”They [South African troops] are sent there to be killed because they are not properly trained,” he said.”We just don’t have the army. The ANC has collapsed the army,” Mr Malema added, referring to the governing party, the African National Congress (ANC).DA defence spokesman Kobus Marais said on X, formerly Twitter, that the fatalities were “avoidable”, and the government had been warned that the deployment was “irresponsible and unacceptable”. Mr Ramaphosa defended the deployment in parliament, saying South Africa was “part of peace-keeping missions all over the world”. “We salute our defence force personnel who brave great dangers to make Africa a more peaceful and stable continent. That is what we applaud them for and we dip our heads for those who are injured and for those who may have fallen,” Mr Ramaphosa said.More on DR Congo:DR Congo squad use Afcon spotlight to call for peaceWhy TikTokers are quitting vapes over DR CongoA quick guide to DR CongoRelated TopicsSouth AfricaDemocratic Republic of CongoAround the BBCFocus on Africa podcastsTop StoriesLive. ‘Catastrophic’ situation at Nasser hospital as Israeli troops carry out raidRushing stretchers through the smoke at Gaza hospital. VideoRushing stretchers through the smoke at Gaza hospitalPublished24 minutes agoUK fell into recession after people cut spendingPublished38 minutes agoFeaturesFaisal Islam: Should we care that the UK is in recession?What is a recession and how could it affect me?Why Putin’s backing for Biden is not what it seemsUkraine battles frostbite and shell shortage in ruined townRushing stretchers through the smoke at Gaza hospital. VideoRushing stretchers through the smoke at Gaza hospitalTribute to black women wins at Rio Carnival paradeFace to face with inmates in El Salvador’s mega-jailIncident Room – Measles Outbreak: Why Now? VideoIncident Room – Measles Outbreak: Why Now?AttributioniPlayerDenise Welch: I’ve had to come to terms with my pastElsewhere on the BBCHow did a booming computer manufacturer go bust?Commodore computers were huge in the 1980s, so why couldn’t the business adapt and survive?AttributionSoundsThe sound effect that became the ultimate movie in-jokeIt’s used in everything from Toy Story to Reservoir Dogs, but what is the Wilhelm Scream?AttributioniPlayerThe video game that changed the way we playLouise Hidalgo spoke to Nolan Bushnell, one of the creators of PongAttributionSoundsA paranormal conspiracy, rooted in grisly real-life murderDiscover the dark origins of a legend…AttributioniPlayerMost Read1Tributes paid to young farmer who was shot dead2Teenager stabbed to death by masked attackers3Pontins discriminated against Irish Travellers – EHRC4Four-month-old boy dies after van and taxi crash5Lioness, Suffragette: New lines on Tube map revealed6UK fell into recession after people cut spending7Denise Welch: I’ve had to come to terms with my past8Queen joins a dozen dames to celebrate Shakespeare9Why Putin’s backing for Biden is not what it seems10One dead and 21 injured in Super Bowl parade shooting
[ad_1] These are the nation’s first fatalities since a recent deployment to support the Congolese army.
![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaUNRWA: Gaza aid agency says it is ‘extremely desperate’ after funding haltedPublished11 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, EPAImage caption, UNRWA has been distributing flour to Palestinians in GazaBy Robert PlummerBBC NewsMore countries have halted funding to the largest UN agency operating in Gaza, as the crisis deepens over the alleged role of some staff in the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel.Japan and Austria said they were suspending payments to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.The US, UK, Germany and Italy are also among those who have suspended funding.UNRWA has told the BBC it is “extremely desperate” and that “the humanitarian needs in Gaza are growing by the hour”.The agency has sacked several of its staff over allegations they were involved on 7 October, when Hamas gunmen infiltrated Israel, killing about 1,300 people – mainly civilians – and taking about 250 others back to Gaza as hostages.More than 26,000 people – mostly women and children – have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched a major military operation in response, the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry says. Another 1.7 million people have fled their homes, with many of them sheltering at UNRWA facilities.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he is “horrified” by the accusations, but has appealed to donor countries to “guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s operations”.In a statement on Sunday, he said: “Of the 12 people implicated, nine were immediately identified and terminated by the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini; one is confirmed dead and the identity of the two others is being clarified.”But he said Gaza should not be penalised.An UNRWA spokesperson said that if funding was not resumed, the agency would not be able to continue its operations beyond the end of February.Announcing its decision to suspend payment, Japan’s foreign ministry said late on Sunday that it was “extremely concerned about the alleged involvement of UNRWA staff members in the terror attack on Israel”.It added that it had been “strongly urging” UNRWA to investigate the allegations “in a prompt and complete manner”.Japan is the sixth-largest donor to the agency, according to UNRWA’s 2022 figures.On Monday, Austria said it was following suit, calling for “a comprehensive, swift and complete investigation into the allegations”.Juliette Touma, the director of communications at UNRWA, said in a BBC interview that the allegations were “extremely serious” and that Mr Lazzarini had taken an “extraordinary measure” in immediately dismissing the staff members in question.”We are extremely desperate. It has come at a time when the humanitarian needs in Gaza are growing by the hour,” she said, adding that she had visited the territory herself last week.”People continue to be displaced. People are hungry. The clock is ticking fast towards famine. “We are doing everything possible to avert us from getting towards famine. But this lack of funding that we have been faced with now, when at least 10 of the largest donors have put a temporary pause on the funding, this is going to have very, very serious repercussions on what is, right now, the largest humanitarian operation in Gaza.”She said UNRWA had not seen the evidence, but the allegations were being investigated by the UN’s oversight office in New York.On Friday, an adviser to the Israeli prime minister told the BBC that the 7 October Hamas attacks had involved “people who are on their [UNRWA] salaries”.Mark Regev said there was also information showing teachers working in UNRWA schools had “openly celebrated” the 7 October attacks.Related TopicsIsrael & the PalestiniansIsrael-Gaza warPalestinian territoriesUnited NationsHamasMore on this storyKey UN Gaza aid agency runs into diplomatic stormPublished21 hours agoTop StoriesLive. Iran denies involvement in drone strike that killed three US troopsDisposable vapes to be banned over fears for children’s healthPublished25 minutes agoNottingham victim’s parents ‘horrified’ at lack of inquiry Published1 hour agoFeaturesTrain strikes: All you need to knowElection poll tracker: How do the parties compare?Key UN Gaza aid agency runs into diplomatic storm’We drove home with empty baby seat’ – NHS trust accused of avoidable infant deaths When will the Bank start to cut interest rates?Death of US troops ratchets up pressure on BidenBBC confronts man who abused boy in secretive Christian church’It’s a dream come true to work with Zayn Malik’The bus route that costs £124 per passengerElsewhere on the BBC’One of the best-known artefacts from ancient Egypt’Discover the woman who inspired the Bust of NefertitiAttributionSoundsThe sound effect that became the ultimate movie in-jokeIt’s used in everything from Toy Story to Reservoir Dogs, but what is the Wilhelm Scream?AttributioniPlayerWhat holds us back from exercising as we age?James Gallagher explores the mental and physical barriers that may stop usAttributionSoundsThe surprising health benefits of doing the plankMichael Mosley explores whether it outshines crunches or sit-ups…AttributionSoundsMost Read1Fridge-carrying marathon runner stopped by police2Body of baby girl found in pub toilet3Woman dies after being struck by bus in London4The bus route that costs £124 per passenger5Japan Moon lander wakes up and resumes mission6Man paralysed in cold water swim warns of dangers7Footballer Kyle Walker: I’m sorry for my actions8Nottingham stab victim’s parents call for inquiry9Disposable vapes to be banned for child health10Death in the Channel – what led a boy to make fatal journey?](https://newsinsightplus.com/wp-content/uploads/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/1055D/production/_132490966_tv091511711.jpg)
