Photo Credit:The Peninsula AFP
Despite an invitation from Kenyan leader William Ruto for a regional summit aimed at ending the rebel assault on Goma, the Democratic Republic of Congo's President Félix Tshisekedi will not be participating in the talks, according to state media reports. The summit, which was scheduled for later on Wednesday and included Rwandan President Paul Kagame, comes as Goma experiences heavy fighting and the presence of corpses in the streets.
Neighbouring Rwanda is accused of backing the M23 rebel group, which has taken over much of the city, including its airport. About 280 Romanian mercenaries who were fighting on the side of DR Congo's army had surrendered to M23, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) said on X.
Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo said that Rwanda would take part in the summit, but did not say whether Kagame would attend. The UN says there is extensive evidence that Rwanda is backing the M23 but Rwanda denies giving the rebels direct military support. Goma was mostly quiet on Wednesday, with reports of sporadic gunfire in some districts.
Residents who had been hiding in safe areas ventured out to buy food that is becoming increasingly scarce following days of fighting. Reportedly, in an apparent attempt to extend their territorial control, M23 rebels are now advancing towards Bukavu, eastern DR Congo's second biggest city. DR Congo's official news agency said that Tshisekedi would not attend the heads of state summit called by Kenya's leader in his capacity as chairman of the East
African Community (EAC). It did not give a reason for his decision. Since the beginning of the week, clashes between M23 rebels and the army and its allies left hospitals overwhelmed by casualties and bodies on the streets, according to the UN. Warehouses with food and medical supplies were also looted, aid agencies said.
Essential services have been unavailable since the offensive began, with electricity, water and internet cut. Growing anger over the rebel offensive led to protesters targeting foreign embassies in the capital, Kinshasa. At least 10 embassies were damaged and looted by protesters who demanded that the international community intervene to end the rebel assault, as they tightened their grip on Goma.
