A conference aimed at ending the violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is scheduled to take place on Thursday (December 27, 2007,) although doubts remain whether key players in the conflict will attend the meeting, the U.N. news agency, Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), reported.

Clashes between government forces and rebels loyal to their leader, Laurent Nkunda, have left hundreds of thousands of people displaced in recent months, sparking fears of a return to the 5-year civil war that shook the country between 1998 and 2002.

During the civil war, the conflict expanded to involve a number of other countries in the region taking sides either with the government or one of the rebel groups.

Since peace was achieved in 2002, and subsequent elections held in 2006, Nkunda has refused to integrate his troops with the national military, advocating that he needs to protect the interests of the Tutsi community in eastern DRC, Irin reported.Other armed rebel groups, such as the Rwanda-based Hutu’s and the DRC's Mayi-Mayi, are also active in the region and have contributed to the instability there.

All groups, including the regular army, have been accused of committing numerous human rights abuses including rape and killing.

Scores of DRC officials and representatives from neighboring states, civil society and the international community are expected to attend Thursday’s conference which will take place in the North Kivu capital of Goma.

Although conference organizers have confirmed Nkunda’s participation, IRIN said his aides could not comment on the matter “as they had received no official invitation.”

Some civil groups in Goma have also threatened to boycott the event.

Acting head of civil society groups in Goma, Flavien Chiza, told IRIN the conference was a waste of time as long as fighting is ongoing.

"Shells are exploding now. If the government finds itself unable to put the insurgents out of action they should hold political talks without civil society," he said. "They want to spend two million dollars on the conference. I have never seen such assistance from the government to help the displaced return home.”

Enoch Ruberanga, a member of parliament who represents South Kivu's Tutsi minority, said the conference would only be worthwhile if Nkunda were present.

"We have to ensure that this umpteenth gathering of Congolese people succeeds with a constructive and sincere attitude. There are many problems that can only be solved by dialogue," he told IRIN.