Crisis in Goma: Congolese President Rejects Peace Talks amid
Rebel Offensive
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces escalating
unrest as President Félix Tshisekedi declines to participate in regional peace
talks aimed at resolving the M23 rebel assault on the strategic city of Goma.
The summit, convened by Kenyan President William Ruto in his role as East
African Community (EAC) chair, was set to include Rwandan President Paul
Kagame, whose country faces accusations of backing the M23 rebels.
Goma, a vital trading hub near the Rwandan border, remains
largely under M23 control, including its airport. Although the city was mostly
quiet on Wednesday, sporadic gunfire was reported. Residents, who had been
hiding during the heavy fighting, cautiously ventured out to seek scarce food
supplies. Essential services, including electricity, water, and internet,
remain cut, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Escalating Tensions and International Implications
The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 militarily, a
claim echoed by the United Nations, which cites extensive evidence of Rwandan
backing. Rwanda denies direct involvement but has confirmed its attendance at
the EAC summit, without specifying if Kagame himself would participate.
Meanwhile, growing public anger over the offensive has led to violent protests
in the capital, Kinshasa. Demonstrators targeted at least ten foreign
embassies, demanding decisive international action to halt the rebel advance.
Adding to the turmoil, approximately 280 Romanian
mercenaries reportedly surrendered to the M23. Rwanda's Defence Force (RDF)
confirmed that the fighters, described as private military contractors, had
been transported to Kigali. While some, like Emile, expressed relief at
returning home, their presence highlights the complex web of actors involved in
the conflict.
A City under Siege
The M23 offensive has overwhelmed Goma’s hospitals, leaving
bodies on the streets and triggering looting of food and medical supplies from
warehouses. The rebels, seeking to consolidate their territorial control, are
reportedly advancing toward Bukavu, another key city in eastern DRC.
President Tshisekedi’s refusal to attend the summit
underscores the strained regional dynamics and distrust toward Rwanda. With the
rebel crisis deepening, the international community faces mounting pressure to
address the conflict, which threatens to destabilize the region further. For
now, Goma remains a city on edge, its future uncertain as diplomatic efforts
falter.
