The three nations name for ‘quick and unconditional ceasefire’ in jap DRC.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have held direct talks for the primary time since Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized two main cities in jap DRC.
In a joint assertion issued with Qatar, whose emir mediated the talks in Doha, the nations known as for an “quick ceasefire” in jap DRC.
“The Heads of State then agreed on the necessity to proceed the discussions initiated in Doha in an effort to set up stable foundations for lasting peace,” the assertion stated.
The DRC has accused Rwanda of sending weapons and troops to help the M23 rebels, which Rwanda has denied.
The talks got here after M23 representatives pulled out of a deliberate assembly with the DRC authorities in Angola on Tuesday, after the European Union imposed sanctions on a number of the group’s senior members, together with chief Bertrand Bisimwa.
In an announcement, M23 stated the sanctions “severely compromise direct dialogue and stop any advance”.
The EU additionally sanctioned three Rwandan army commanders and the nation’s mining company chief over help for the M23 fighters.
The battle in jap DRC escalated in January when the rebels superior and seized the strategic metropolis of Goma, adopted by Bukavu in February.
M23 is one in all about 100 armed teams which were vying for a foothold within the mineral-rich jap DRC close to the border with Rwanda. The battle has created one of many world’s most important humanitarian crises, with greater than 7 million individuals displaced.
The rebels are supported by about 4,000 Rwandan troops, in keeping with United Nations specialists.