DR Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi will not take part in a crisis meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame scheduled for Wednesday, according to state media reports, following reports that M23 fighters Rwanda allegedly supports have entered the Congolese city of Goma.
Rwandan officials have continually denied claims of their involvement with M23 fighters.
“The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, will not be attending the virtual summit of East African Community heads of state,” announced the official Congolese Press Agency, ACP, on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for President Paul Kagame confirmed that the Rwandan president will still participate in the summit. Details regarding the virtual EAC Summit have yet to be disclosed.
International observers have called for an end to the hostilities, with the UN, the United States, China, and the European Union all urging Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the area.
On Wednesday, Angola’s president urged for the “immediate withdrawal” of Rwandan forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo, emphasising the need for leaders from both nations to hold an urgent meeting in Luanda regarding the conflict.
During a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday, the DRC urged nations “to have the courage to do what is just.”
