“South Africa Deploys 2,900 Soldiers to Democratic Republic of Congo”

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"South Africa Deploys 2,900 Soldiers to Democratic Republic of Congo"

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South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorized the deployment of 2,900 soldiers to support the fight against armed rebel groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

The troops will be part of the southern African mission in DR Congo (SAMIDRC), a regional initiative approved in May last year. Malawi and Tanzania will also contribute troops to the mission.

This mission replaces the East African regional force, which withdrew from DR Congo last December following the government’s assessment of its effectiveness.

The deployment is expected to cost South Africa 2 billion Rand ($105 million; £83 million) and is scheduled to continue until December this year, according to a statement from the presidency.

The announcement comes amid a renewed outbreak of fighting that has resulted in tens of thousands being displaced, adding to the nearly seven million already forced from their homes in DR Congo due to multiple conflicts.