ARUSHA, Tanzania—At a special summit Tuesday, East African leaders urged DRC President Félix Tshisekedi to open talks with M23 rebels.
The leaders said military force alone cannot bring peace to eastern Congo. They asked Tshisekedi's government to meet with M23 and other armed groups to hear their concerns.
Tshisekedi skipped the East African Community (EAC) summit, highlighting tensions over the crisis. He calls M23 terrorists backed by Rwanda and refuses to negotiate.
The United States, Turkey, and Uganda's President Museveni have pressed Tshisekedi to consider dialogue. Their calls come as M23 rebels captured the city of Goma this week.
The rebels, who control much of North Kivu province, warn of serious results if Tshisekedi rejects peace talks. Rwanda supports the rebel group.
Tshisekedi's absence showed his anger at the EAC's handling of the conflict. Last year, he expelled EAC peacekeepers, saying they failed to fight M23. He replaced them with troops from southern Africa.
The EAC agreed to meet with the Southern African bloc to develop a united approach, which aims to prevent clashes between different peace efforts.
The summit also dealt with attacks on foreign embassies in Kinshasa. Protesters recently looted Uganda's embassy. EAC leaders told Congo to protect diplomatic buildings and staff.
They called for both sides to stop fighting at once. The leaders stressed the need to let aid reach people caught in the conflict.
Regional powers want Tshisekedi to address M23's claims about discrimination against Tutsis. But the Congolese leader stands firm on using force instead of talks.
The leaders said military force alone cannot bring peace to eastern Congo. They asked Tshisekedi's government to meet with M23 and other armed groups to hear their concerns.
Tshisekedi skipped the East African Community (EAC) summit, highlighting tensions over the crisis. He calls M23 terrorists backed by Rwanda and refuses to negotiate.
The United States, Turkey, and Uganda's President Museveni have pressed Tshisekedi to consider dialogue. Their calls come as M23 rebels captured the city of Goma this week.
The rebels, who control much of North Kivu province, warn of serious results if Tshisekedi rejects peace talks. Rwanda supports the rebel group.
Tshisekedi's absence showed his anger at the EAC's handling of the conflict. Last year, he expelled EAC peacekeepers, saying they failed to fight M23. He replaced them with troops from southern Africa.
The EAC agreed to meet with the Southern African bloc to develop a united approach, which aims to prevent clashes between different peace efforts.
The summit also dealt with attacks on foreign embassies in Kinshasa. Protesters recently looted Uganda's embassy. EAC leaders told Congo to protect diplomatic buildings and staff.
They called for both sides to stop fighting at once. The leaders stressed the need to let aid reach people caught in the conflict.
Regional powers want Tshisekedi to address M23's claims about discrimination against Tutsis. But the Congolese leader stands firm on using force instead of talks.
