South Africa to deploy 2,900 troops to fight armed groups in eastern Congo

February 12, 2019 (Reuters) - The president's office said in a statement on Monday that South Africa would contribute 2,900 troops to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force that is fighting armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to the announcement, the deployment will take place for a year, starting on December 15, 2023, and ending on December 15, 2024. It will cost around 2 billion rand ($105.75 million).

In order to assist Congo, the leading producer of copper in Africa and a major supplier of cobalt to the globe, in addressing instability and failing security in its restive eastern area, the 16-member state SADC approved the eastern Congo mission in May of last year.

Hundreds of people have died in decades of fighting between numerous opposing armed groups in eastern Congo over resources and territory.