{"id":42250,"date":"2025-01-29T11:46:34","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T16:46:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/congolese-president-snubs-peace-talks-over-goma-crisis\/29\/01\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-01-29T11:46:34","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T16:46:34","slug":"congolese-president-snubs-peace-talks-over-goma-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/congolese-president-snubs-peace-talks-over-goma-crisis\/29\/01\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Congolese president snubs peace talks over Goma crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Democratic Republic of Congo&#8217;s President F\u00e9lix Tshisekedi will not take part in regionally brokered talks aimed at ending the rebel assault on the key eastern city of Goma, state media has reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Kenyan leader William Ruto had invited Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame to a virtual summit later on Wednesday, as corpses lay on the streets of Goma following heavy fighting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Neighbouring Rwanda is accused of backing the M23 rebel group, which has taken over much of the city, including its airport.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">About 280 Romanian mercenaries who were fighting on the side of DR Congo&#8217;s army had surrendered to M23, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RwandaMoD\/status\/1884592351726690329\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) said on X;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) said on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo told the BBC that Rwanda would take part in the summit, but did not say whether Kagame would attend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The UN says there is extensive evidence that Rwanda is backing the M23 but Rwanda denies giving the rebels direct military support.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Goma was mostly quiet on Wednesday, with reports of sporadic gunfire in some districts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Residents who had been hiding in safe areas ventured out to buy food that is becoming increasingly scarce following days of fighting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In an apparent attempt to extend their territorial control, M23 rebels are now advancing towards Bukavu, eastern DR Congo&#8217;s second biggest city, Reuters news agency quotes five diplomatic and security sources as saying. The BBC has not been able to verify this information.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">DR Congo&#8217;s official news agency said that Tshisekedi would not attend the heads of state summit called by Kenya&#8217;s leader in his capacity as chairman of the East African Community (EAC). It did not give a reason for his decision.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>The captured Romanian mercenaries were being taken to Rwanda&#8217;s capital Kigali, the Rwandan military says [Reuters]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Since the beginning of the week, clashes between M23 rebels and the army and its allies left hospitals overwhelmed by casualties and bodies on the streets, according to the UN.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Warehouses with food and medical supplies were also looted, aid agencies said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Essential services have been unavailable since the offensive began, with electricity, water and internet cut.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Growing anger over the rebel offensive led to protesters targeting foreign embassies in the capital, Kinshasa.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">At least 10 embassies were damaged and looted by protesters who demanded that the international community intervene to end the rebel assault, as they tightened their grip on Goma.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Rwanda&#8217;s military said the Romanian mercenaries were being transported to Rwanda&#8217;s capital, Kigali, after they had &#8220;surrendered to M23 following the capture of the strategic city&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But a UN peacekeeper told the BBC that the Romanians had sought refuge at a UN base in Goma, and were then evacuated to Rwanda.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The coordinator of the group, Constantin Timofti, told Romanian news channel TVR that four of his men were wounded in the clashes but were in a stable condition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Romania&#8217;s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that the group numbered more than 250, and were private contractors working for the DR Congo government as part of a military training mission.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Dozens of them were seen on Wednesday in Gisenyi, just across the Rwandan border from Goma, being searched by officers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We weren&#8217;t on a battlefield. We were here to train and help with artillery,&#8221; one, who only gave the name Emile, told AFP news agency.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;What I learned is that anything can happen. I came. I did my work and now I am happy to go back and be with my family,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In 2022, DR Congo&#8217;s government signed contracts with two private military companies to bolster its forces against the rebels.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Romanian personnel had played a crucial role in securing key installations, including the airport, and had manned checkpoints on the outskirts of Goma, until the latest rebel assault.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A map of DR Congo\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"767\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/lo1Q3zYQ0LHmHSMCGP30Uw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc2Nw--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/0f97fa2e22ada569dd43da5ada11af6c\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>[BBC]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">More about the conflict in DR Congo:<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"295\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/R53CmdtQyYsC7RR0ZwFhBA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTI5NQ--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/e70f5e2d3e91b5ce9a04201c81e1134b\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>[Getty Images\/BBC]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Go to <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/bbcafrica.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:BBCAfrica.com;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>BBCAfrica.com<\/em><\/a><em> for more news from the African continent.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Follow us on Twitter <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BBCAfrica\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:@BBCAfrica;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>@BBCAfrica<\/em><\/a><em>, on Facebook at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BBCnewsafrica\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:BBC Africa;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>BBC Africa<\/em><\/a><em> or on Instagram at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bbcafrica\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:bbcafrica;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>bbcafrica<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">BBC Africa podcasts<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/congolese-president-snubs-peace-talks-132456874.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Democratic Republic of Congo&rsquo;s President F&eacute;lix Tshisekedi will not take part in regionally brokered talks aimed at ending the rebel assault<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/congolese-president-snubs-peace-talks-over-goma-crisis\/29\/01\/2025\/\">Read More 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