Rebels attack ahead of DRC summit

Congolese Tutsi rebels have made fresh advances and captured several villages in the eastern part of Kivu province ahead of a summit of Great Lakes’ leaders scheduled for today. The meeting is to discuss the Congo crisis.The move has jeopardized the ceasefire announced by renegade commander of the rebel forces Gen. Laurent Nkunda early this week, according to UN military spokesman. Thousands of civilians who fled from Kiwanja area accused pro-government Mai-Mai militiamen for attacks but the North Kivu government army commander said that government forces are respecting the ceasefire.The new offensive has happened when plans have been finalized for a meeting by government leaders from the Great Lakes on Friday to try to end the conflict. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday that he would attend the Great Lakes summit scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya.

During the meeting he would meet Congolese President Joseph Kabila and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Congo and Rwanda have been trading accusations for supporting the warring militia groups in east Congo. The groups have been fighting since 1994 after the Rwanda genocide.

The UN boss said he would also take the opportunity to persuade President Kabila to speak with Nkunda and anyone else who could help end the crisis. Recently Ban appointed former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo special envoy for Congo, who said would also meet Presidents Kagame and Kabila in Nairobi in a bid to end the crisis.

AU chairman and Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki will also attend the meeting.