East Africa Leaders Push Peace Plan for Congo Crisis.
Kenya's President William Ruto, who leads East Africa's group of nations, asked for a stop to fighting in Congo at a meeting in Tanzania.
Ruto spoke to leaders from East and South Africa in Dar es Salaam. He said armies alone cannot fix Congo's troubles. Peace talks must include all sides, even the M23 fighters.
"We face deep problems with safety and help for people in Congo," Ruto said. He wants fighting to stop first, which would help start peace talks.
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu said Africa must act. She fears future groups will blame them if Congo's fights go on.
Fighting has grown worse in east Congo. The M23 group took the big town of Goma. They move near Bukavu. Many people ran from their homes.
Congo's leaders say Rwanda helps M23. Rwanda responds that Congo aids bad groups that hurt Uganda. South Africa sent more troops to Congo, making things more complex.
Ruto asked everyone to respect Congo's land rights. These rules come from the African Union and the United Nations. He does not want attacks on peace workers or helping groups.
Congo's leaders refuse to talk with M23, but Ruto thinks peace needs talks with them. "We cannot shoot our way to peace," he said. Talks show we are wise and strong."
He wants one clear peace plan. Right now, this group joins two past tries from Nairobi and Luanda. A new office would monitor the peace process.
The fights hurt many people in east Congo. Millions left their homes. Bad men hurt women and make kids join armies. Ruto asked world groups to send more help.
Many leaders came to talk. Uganda's Museveni, Kenya's Ruto, Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa, Somalia's Mohamud, Zambia's Hichilema, and Rwanda's Kagame met there. Congo's leader, Tshisekedi, joined by computer. He sent his top helper, Judith Suminwa.
"Congo's trouble seems hard," Ruto said at the end. "It has gone on long. But we can fix it. We must fix it."
These fights started years back. Groups fight each other. Other lands join in. This made one of the worst human problems ever.
Kenya's President William Ruto, who leads East Africa's group of nations, asked for a stop to fighting in Congo at a meeting in Tanzania.
Ruto spoke to leaders from East and South Africa in Dar es Salaam. He said armies alone cannot fix Congo's troubles. Peace talks must include all sides, even the M23 fighters.
"We face deep problems with safety and help for people in Congo," Ruto said. He wants fighting to stop first, which would help start peace talks.
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu said Africa must act. She fears future groups will blame them if Congo's fights go on.
Fighting has grown worse in east Congo. The M23 group took the big town of Goma. They move near Bukavu. Many people ran from their homes.
Congo's leaders say Rwanda helps M23. Rwanda responds that Congo aids bad groups that hurt Uganda. South Africa sent more troops to Congo, making things more complex.
Ruto asked everyone to respect Congo's land rights. These rules come from the African Union and the United Nations. He does not want attacks on peace workers or helping groups.
Congo's leaders refuse to talk with M23, but Ruto thinks peace needs talks with them. "We cannot shoot our way to peace," he said. Talks show we are wise and strong."
He wants one clear peace plan. Right now, this group joins two past tries from Nairobi and Luanda. A new office would monitor the peace process.
The fights hurt many people in east Congo. Millions left their homes. Bad men hurt women and make kids join armies. Ruto asked world groups to send more help.
Many leaders came to talk. Uganda's Museveni, Kenya's Ruto, Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa, Somalia's Mohamud, Zambia's Hichilema, and Rwanda's Kagame met there. Congo's leader, Tshisekedi, joined by computer. He sent his top helper, Judith Suminwa.
"Congo's trouble seems hard," Ruto said at the end. "It has gone on long. But we can fix it. We must fix it."
These fights started years back. Groups fight each other. Other lands join in. This made one of the worst human problems ever.
