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Goma Faces Crisis as Talks Fail to Include Congolese President
The ongoing conflict in Goma, a strategic city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), intensifies as President Félix Tshisekedi opts out of a crucial regional summit aimed at addressing the rebel threat. State media has reported his decision to not engage in discussions brokered by Kenyan President William Ruto, who had called for a meeting of regional leaders, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
The city is currently under siege by the M23 rebel group, which has gained significant ground, including seizing the airport. Heavy fighting has turned Goma into a battleground, with corpses littering the streets as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
Accusations against Rwanda for supporting the M23 rebels persist, with the Rwandan government facing pressure to clarify its role amid claims from the United Nations citing substantial evidence of such support. Although Rwanda maintains that it does not provide direct military assistance to the rebels, tensions between the two nations remain high.
In a troubling development, approximately 280 Romanian mercenaries allied with the DRC’s armed forces have reportedly surrendered to M23, according to the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) via a post on X. The aftermath of this surrender poses significant implications for the DRC’s military capacity in the ongoing conflict.
Despite the turmoil, neighboring Rwanda confirmed participation in the summit, although it remains uncertain if Kagame will attend. As sporadic gunfire continues in Goma, many residents who had sought safety are now cautiously reemerging to procure food, which is rapidly becoming scarce due to the prolonged fighting.
The lack of official communication from Tshisekedi’s office regarding his absence from the summit raises concerns about the DRC’s strategy in countering the escalating violence. Reports from the UN indicate that the conflict has overwhelmed local hospitals and left many dead on the streets. Essential services, including electricity, water, and internet access, have been severely disrupted.
The humanitarian situation has sparked frustration among DRC citizens, leading to protests in the capital city of Kinshasa. Demonstrators targeted multiple foreign embassies, demanding intervention from the international community to halt the M23’s advances into Goma. At least ten embassies faced damage and looting amid these protests.
In the wake of the escalating conflict, the RDF announced that the surrendered mercenaries would be taken to Kigali, the Rwandan capital. Reports indicate that some of these individuals had initially fled to Gisenyi, a town in Rwanda just beyond the DRC border. One mercenary, who identified himself as Emile, described his situation, emphasizing that his mission was not combat but rather training and assistance with artillery.
As M23 rebels reportedly continue their advance toward Bukavu, a lakeside city, the broader implications of the conflict loom ominously for both the DRC and the region. This escalation heightens the urgency for diplomatic engagement and effective measures to restore stability in Eastern Congo, highlighting the critical necessity for a united response from regional leaders.
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