Countries backing DRC rebel group M23 could be assisting in committing war crimes - Lamola
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is part of a United Nations (UN)-backed peacekeeping mission in the DRC city of Goma.
Ronald Lamola. Picture: @RonaldLamola/X
JOHANNESBURG - The South African government has warned countries backing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) rebel militia group, M23, that they could be assisting in committing war crimes.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is part of a United Nations (UN)-backed peacekeeping mission in the DRC city of Goma.
ALSO READ: SA govt not considering withdrawing troops from volatile DRC
Thirteen South African soldiers have been killed in the conflict between the DRC government and M23 since last week.
Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola spoke about the matter on the sidelines of the Cabinet lekgotla in Pretoria on Wednesday.
“These are peacekeeping forces mandated by a Security Council resolution of the United Nations. They are also mandated through the SADC [Southern African Development Community] resolutions. So, shooting or killing some of them, there are instances where such can constitute war crimes.”