DRC, Rwanda leaders to attend summit amid conflict

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame will meet this weekend to address the escalating crisis in eastern DR Congo.

The leaders will join a two-day summit of eastern and southern African nations in Tanzania, beginning on Friday, according to Kenya’s presidency.

Tensions have reached a boiling point as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and Rwandan troops advance deeper into the DR Congo.

Last week, the armed group seized the strategic city of Goma, vowing to push onward toward Kinshasa in a dramatic show of force.

President Tshisekedi has promised a “vigorous” military response and urged the global community to sanction Rwanda for its involvement.

Both Tshisekedi and Kagame have previously avoided peace negotiations, raising doubts over whether the upcoming summit will yield meaningful results.

The lightning offensive has worsened an already dire humanitarian situation, with thousands of civilians displaced by relentless violence.

M23 fighters have now turned their sights on South Kivu province, threatening its capital, Bukavu, in a move that could deepen the chaos.

A local source in Bukavu told AFP that the city remains calm but warned that M23 is regrouping and receiving fresh reinforcements.

Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting DR Congo despite mounting pressure to withdraw troops.

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