East, Southern African leaders call for ceasefire in eastern Congo

At a crisis summit in Tanzania, leaders of eastern and southern African states called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern DRC, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have taken strategic towns, including Goma.

The summit in Tanzania’s capital brought together heads of state and government representatives to try to resolve the worsening security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC and ward off the risk of regional conflagration.

“The summit emphasizes that political and diplomatic engagement is the most sustainable solution to the conflict,” said the Summit’s final communiqué.

It also demanded the reopening of Goma airport and other key routes to facilitate humanitarian aid shipment, as well as the withdrawal of uninvited foreign armed forces from Congolese territory.

DRC cut ties with Rwanda whom it has been accusing of backing the M23 rebels.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame – who was at the summit – has repeatedly denied any involvement in supporting the rebels.