President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has refused to participate in a regional peace summit called to address the ongoing rebel assault on the city of Goma. The summit, organized by Kenyan President William Ruto, was intended to discuss the escalating violence and its humanitarian consequences.
The M23 rebel group, which has seized large parts of Goma, including the airport, is accused of receiving support from neighboring Rwanda. While Rwanda denies these claims, the United Nations reports strong evidence of the country’s involvement in backing the rebels. The fighting in Goma has left bodies in the streets, and the city remains in turmoil as the M23 continues to gain ground.
Tshisekedi’s absence from the summit, which was set to include Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, was confirmed by DRC state media. The reasons for his decision remain unclear. Although Rwanda has agreed to participate, it is uncertain whether Kagame himself will attend. Meanwhile, reports indicate that 280 Romanian mercenaries fighting for the DRC’s army have surrendered to M23 forces.
The violence in Goma has led to widespread destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis. Essential services, including electricity, water, and internet, have been cut off, and hospitals are overwhelmed by casualties. The local population is facing food shortages as aid warehouses have been looted.
Protests erupted in the DRC capital, Kinshasa, where demonstrators targeted foreign embassies in response to the ongoing crisis. At least 10 embassies were damaged and looted, as protestors demanded intervention to stop the rebel assault.
Despite the presence of UN and Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeepers, the M23 rebels continue to expand their control in the region. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebels to gain control over the region’s valuable mineral resources, including gold and coltan, a key ingredient in electronics manufacturing.
