The Democratic Republic of Congo's foreign minister on Friday accused Rwanda of illegally occupying part of its territory, after the M23 rebel group captured the eastern Congolese city of Goma.

The Southern African Development Community intervention force in the mission in the DRC is outgunned and outmanned.

The extraordinary summit was called after the Rwanda-backed M23 group captured most of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo this week in fighting that killed 16 soldiers from South Africa and Malawi deployed as part of regional peacekeeping efforts.

Critical minerals factor into the fight.

A potential Ebola outbreak has been reported in the DRC, at a time when the Trump administration has paused communication with the WHO.

The humanitarian situation in the area continues to worsen and South Africa took a shot at Rwanda for its perceived complicity in the death of South African peacekeepers in the area.

A Uruguayan soldier who was part of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) also died in the battle with M23 rebel fighters. Chief of SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya said the M23 fighters are allegedly trained and backed by the Republic of Rwanda, a neighbour of the DRC.

This introduction lays a foundation for the discussion of the East African Community and the battle for the soul of the DR Congo. However, it may be necessary to note that the Congolese hold very strong views that some countries in the East African Community are responsible for the armed rebellion in the eastern part of their country.

President Félix Tshisekedi did not attend the recent EAC summit hosted by President William Ruto to discuss the worsening security crisis in eastern DRC.

During his address to the East African Community Heads of State extraordinary meeting, Mr Kagame said Mr Ramaphosa was pretending to be a peacekeeper in DRC

In a passionate address, Malema urges President Ramaphosa to bring home SANDF troops from the DRC, highlighting the dangers they face and the need for military reform.

Rwanda-backed rebels who have captured eastern Congo’s largest city say they plan to take their rebellion to the capital and seek to gain political power.