Leaders of Eastern and Southern Africa have immediately appealed to the ceasefire in Eastern Congo. The rebels are threatening to overthrow the Congo government, but the leaders have urged them to have a direct interaction with the President of Congo.
Congo President Felix Tasecidi attended the summit in Tanzania’s city Dar S Salaam through video conferencing. He had earlier said that he would never talk to the Rwanda -backed M3 rebels, as he feels that the rebels are working to exploit the mineral properties of the Congo.
Rebels capture Goma, 3000 people killed in battle: United Nations
A release issued at the end of the summit called for direct talks and dialogues with all sides, including M3, to resume. According to the United Nations, the rebels have captured Goma, the largest city of Congo, after which around 3,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands of people have become homeless.
SADC leaders attended the summit
The joint summit consisted of leaders of the East African community and Southern African Development Community (SADC), both Rwanda and Congo members. Rwanda President Paul Kame and South African President Cyril Ramposa also attended the summit. Ramfosa has deployed soldiers in the Congo under SADC to fight the M33 rebels, which has increased Rwanda’s concerns.
Rwanda convicted the deployment of SADC for promoting rebellion
Rwanda has convicted the deployment of SADC in North Kivu, a mineral-rich province in Eastern Congo, to promote rebellion. Kamee said that SADC soldiers were not peace soldiers, as they are fighting with the Congo army to defeat the rebels.
Rebels get support from Rwanda
According to UN experts, the rebels have the support of around 4,000 soldiers from Rwanda, while the Congo army is getting support from regional peace soldiers, United Nations forces, Associate Military and Burundi soldiers. They are now preventing rebels from capturing Buchvu, the capital of South Kivu.
M23 said- They are fighting the Congo government
The rebel group M32 has said that they are fighting the Congo government and they are ready for direct talks. In addition, there is also a demand to reopen the Goma airport and take steps for the return of foreign troops without calling. Another regional meeting also appealed to the Congo to reopen the airport for immediate return and humanitarian assistance of Rwanda soldiers.