The Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi is set to attend a regional summit in Tanzania on February 7-8 to discuss the escalating conflict in eastern Congo. The summit, organized by Kenyan President William Ruto in his capacity as East African Community (EAC) chair, will bring together leaders from Eastern and Southern Africa to address the growing security concerns in the region.

The conflict in eastern Congo has intensified in recent weeks, with M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, capturing another mining town in South Kivu province and advancing towards the provincial capital, Bukavu. The situation has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with over 900 bodies recovered from the streets of Goma since violence erupted.

According to UN experts, an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are allegedly overseeing and assisting M23 fighters in eastern DRC, surpassing the rebel group’s numbers in the region. However, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has denied any knowledge of Rwandan troops being present in the DRC, dismissing the claims as unfounded.

President Tshisekedi’s participation in the summit is significant, given his previous absence from an EAC meeting last month due to scheduling conflicts. His spokesperson, Tina Salama, confirmed his attendance but did not specify whether he would attend in person in Tanzania's commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, or virtually.

Rwanda's Foreign Minister also announced that President Paul Kagame is expected to attend the summit, which is likely to be a tense affair given the allegations of Rwandan involvement in the conflict. The summit provides an opportunity for regional leaders to come together and find a solution to the crisis, which has far-reaching implications for the stability of the region.

The conflict in eastern Congo has also led to increased tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, with reports of troops trading fire across the border in Goma. The situation has prompted the US to halt visa interviews and shut down its embassy in the DRC, citing security concerns.

The regional summit comes at a critical time, as the conflict in eastern Congo continues to escalate and the humanitarian crisis deepens. The meeting provides a platform for regional leaders to address the root causes of the conflict and find a lasting solution to the crisis.

As the situation in eastern Congo continues to unfold, the regional summit in Tanzania will be closely watched for any signs of progress towards a peaceful resolution. With the lives of thousands of people hanging in the balance, the stakes could not be higher.