Namibia Weighs Military Response as M23 Rebels Seize DRC's Goma.
The Namibian government remains undecided about deploying troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo, presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari said Tuesday. This comes after M23 rebels captured the strategic city of Goma.
President Nangolo Mbumba has called for diplomatic solutions to resolve the crisis. "President Mbumba and the Namibian government support the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes for eastern DRC. Any escalation would harm these efforts," Hengari stated.
Namibia has invested N$90 million in DRC peacekeeping missions to date. The country last sent troops to the DRC in 1998, alongside Zimbabwe.
Several African nations have already committed forces to support the Congolese army against the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania have deployed soldiers to protect civilians and combat the insurgents.
The conflict has proved costly for South African forces. Thirteen South African soldiers died in recent clashes near Goma, adding to seven casualties from last year. This marks one of South Africa's heaviest military losses in recent history.
Goma serves as a crucial trading center on Rwanda's border. The city's capture by rebel forces has heightened regional tensions and sparked international concern.
The Namibian government remains undecided about deploying troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo, presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari said Tuesday. This comes after M23 rebels captured the strategic city of Goma.
President Nangolo Mbumba has called for diplomatic solutions to resolve the crisis. "President Mbumba and the Namibian government support the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes for eastern DRC. Any escalation would harm these efforts," Hengari stated.
Namibia has invested N$90 million in DRC peacekeeping missions to date. The country last sent troops to the DRC in 1998, alongside Zimbabwe.
Several African nations have already committed forces to support the Congolese army against the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania have deployed soldiers to protect civilians and combat the insurgents.
The conflict has proved costly for South African forces. Thirteen South African soldiers died in recent clashes near Goma, adding to seven casualties from last year. This marks one of South Africa's heaviest military losses in recent history.
Goma serves as a crucial trading center on Rwanda's border. The city's capture by rebel forces has heightened regional tensions and sparked international concern.
