The Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Félix 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.
Kenyan leader William Ruto had invited Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame to a regional summit later on Wednesday, as corpses lay on the streets of Goma following heavy fighting.
Neighbouring Rwanda is accused of backing the M23 rebel group, which has taken over much of the city, including its airport.
About 280 Romanian mercenaries who were fighting on the side of DR Congo’s army had surrendered to M23, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) said on X.
Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo told the BBC that Rwanda would take part in summit, but did not say whether Kagame would attend.
The UN says there is extensive evidence that Rwanda is backing the M23 but Rwanda denies giving the rebels direct military support.
Goma was mostly quiet on Wednesday, with reports of sporadic gunfire in some districts.
Residents who had been hiding in safe areas ventured out to buy food that is becoming increasingly scarce following days of fighting.
DR Congo’s official news agency said that Tshisekedi would not attend the heads of state summit called by Ruto in his capacity as chairman of the East African Community (EAC). It did not give a reason for his decision.
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.
Warehouses with food and medical supplies were also looted, aid agencies said.
Essential services have been unavailable since the offensive began, with electricity, water and internet cut.
Growing anger over the rebel offensive led to protesters targeting foreign embassies in the capital, Kinshasa.
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.
The RDF said the Romanian mercenaries were being transported to Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, after they “surrendered to M23 following the capture of the strategic city”.
AFP news agency reports that dozens of Romanians – whom it called private military contractors – had fled to the Rwandan town of Gisenyi, just over the border from Goma.
“We weren’t on a battlefield, we were here to train and help with artillery,” one who only gave the name Emile told AFP.
“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,” he added.
In an apparent attempt to extend their territorial control in eastern DR Congo, M23 rebels were now advancing towards the lakeside city of Bukavu, Reuters news agency quoted five diplomatic and security sources as saying.
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