Air Zimbabwe evacuates 200 wounded soldiers from M23-controlled Goma

About 200 wounded and sick South African soldiers, along with their Tanzanian and Malawian allies, were evacuated from the M23 rebel-controlled city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after weeks of tense negotiations. The evacuation was carried out yesterday using an Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767, which had been chartered for the mission.

The aircraft, which acted as an air ambulance, was leased to Mont Gabaon Airlines of the DRC last year. It had been stationed in Harare for two years before being deployed to Goma on May 4, 2024, where it has since been operating under a long-term lease.

The evacuation was critical, as the group included five seriously injured soldiers and two pregnant women. The troops were airlifted out of Goma through Rwanda before being transported to their respective countries. The aircraft first dropped off Tanzanian and Malawian soldiers before proceeding to South Africa, where it landed at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.

Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, remains under the control of the M23 rebel group. The city, along with Bukavu by Lake Kivu, is a key strategic hub for trade and transportation in the mineral-rich region. The evacuation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by foreign forces operating in the volatile eastern DRC, where intense conflict continues to impact regional security.