South Sudan Sends More Troops To DR Congo

The government of South Sudan has dispatched additional 300 soldiers to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC under the banner of a regional bloc.

Report says they will be part of the East African regional force fighting the M23 rebel group.

Meanwhile, the 300 soldiers will be deployed to Goma the headquarters of the regional force, and will be replaced after a year.

The Defence Minister General, Chol Balok said that the total number of South Sudan troops in the country is over 1,000.

“You are going in the name of South Sudan and under its flag, go and protect civilians in DR Congo, respect every man and woman of that country,”  the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Santino Wol, told the departing troops at Juba international airport.

South Sudan is the latest country to join the seven-nation regional force created in June last year to try to stabilise eastern DR Congo.

BBC/Christopher Ojilere