African leaders call for cease-fire in eastern DR Congo

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — African leaders called on Saturday for an immediate cease-fire in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, reaffirming their full support for seeking a lasting solution to the current conflict.

A "historic summit", jointly convened by the East African Community, or EAC, and the Southern African Development Community, or SADC, was held on Saturday in the Tanzanian port city of Dar es Salaam to address the escalating crisis in eastern DR Congo.

In a communique, the regional leaders called for an immediate cease-fire and the restoration of supply lines in DR Congo, as the March 23 Movement rebels has reportedly been advancing toward Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province, after establishing its so-called administration in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province and a key regional hub.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the leaders directed the EACSADC chiefs of defense forces to meet within five days to devise technical measures for enforcing an immediate and unconditional cease-fire.

Political and diplomatic engagement is the most sustainable solution to the conflict in eastern DR Congo, the communique stated, as regional leaders expressed support for resuming direct negotiations with all state and nonstate parties.

The summit was co-chaired by EAC Chairman and Kenyan President William Ruto and SADC Chairman and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Ruto reiterated calls for all parties to immediately cease hostilities and take meaningful steps toward dialogue aimed at restoring stability.

Mnangagwa called on attendees to uphold the principles of transparency, truth and determination in the peace talks to ensure a lasting resolution to the crisis in DR Congo.

At least 2,900 people were killed during the M23 rebels' capture of Goma, according to the United Nations. The group claims to have controlled the city since Jan 26.

The conflict between the M23 and the Congolese government is deeply linked to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and continuing ethnic tensions.

DR Congo has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, while Rwanda claims that DR Congo's military has allied with the Rwandan rebel group Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, which is accused of involvement in the 1994 genocide.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame attended Saturday's meeting, and his DR Congo counterpart, Felix Tshisekedi, joined via video link.

Xinhua - Agencies