SANDF troops still trapped in DRC amid airport shutdown

702’s Bongani Bingwa speaks with Africa Report correspondent Crystal Orderson.

Listen below:

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers scheduled to come home are trapped in the DRC.

The Goma airport was shut down after a violent confrontation between M23 forces and SANDF soldiers in January.

This has left our soldiers unsure when, or how, they will be able to get home.

The situation in Goma is reportedly dire, with limited resources available for our troops.

RELATED: Peacekeepers vs peace enforcers: which role do the SANDF play in the DRC?

A few days ago clashes broke out between M23 and the DRC’s state-aligned militia, leading to further uncertainty in the region.

“It apparently came out of the blue. It was not expected by M23.”

- Crystal Orderson, Africa Report correspondent

Scroll up to the audio player for more.