M23 has made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, encircling the eastern city of Goma, which has around 2 million people and is a regional hub for security and humanitarian efforts.

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga visited the SANDF members in DRC, before nine South African soldiers were killed in fierce battle.

President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the ongoing conflict in the DRC, asserting that the presence of South African troops is a peacekeeping mission, not an act of war, amidst rising casualties.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed the passing away of three of its members following a mortar bomb attack by the M23 rebel militia near Goma Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Monday.

Fighting between Rwanda-backed rebels and the Congolese army continued for a second day in Goma on Tuesday amid calls by African leaders for an immediate ceasefire.

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels faced pockets of resistance from army and pro-government militia overnight after entering eastern Congo's largest city Goma in the worst escalation of a conflict that has run for more than a decade.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame have discussed the possibility of a ceasefire agreement in DR Congo amidst the ongoing conflict between the Congolese force and the M23 rebel group.

East African leaders are planning a presidential summit to try to resolve the crisis. Kenyan President Ruto announced that both Kagame and Tshisekedi had agreed to attend the talks.

Conflict minerals include the likes of tantalum, which features in electronics across the world, and it's going to be difficult to source it from other regions – Dr Nils Backeberg, Project Blue.

Angola’s President Joao Lourenco demanded the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory on Wednesday amid fighting with the M23 rebels in Goma. Lourenco, who is the African Union (AU) mediator between Congo and Rwanda, also urged the resumption of peace talks with the M23 and all other groups operating on Congolese territory.

South African President has Cyril Ramaphosa called for intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).