Kinshasa [Democratic Republic of the Congo], January 31: Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has said he will not concede defeat to the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels who have seized control of most of the major city of Goma in eastern Congo.
Tshisekedi called on the population in the east of the resource-rich country to resist the fighters as they attempt to take more territory. "The defence of the homeland is sacred," he said in a televised address to the nation late Wednesday, speaking for the first time since the rebel victory.
"The Democratic Republic of Congo will not give in," he said.
The capture of the provincial capital Goma by fighters from the M23 militia was an "insult to [Congo's] history," he continued. The president vowed a vigorous response to drive the M23 out of Goma and called on young Congolese to join the army. He also promised that his government in Kinshasa was devising an emergency humanitarian response for the displaced residents. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
