East Africa Meets on Congo War as Fights Grow.
Leaders from East and South Africa met in Tanzania this Saturday. They hope to stop the war in Congo as M23 fighters hold the town of Goma and push near Bukavu.
Leaders came from Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Zambia, and Rwanda. South Africa's leader plans to join later. His land asks Rwanda to leave Congo. They say Rwanda helps M23. Rwanda says this is false.
Congo's leader, Felix Tshisekedi, stayed home but watched through computer screens. He sent his top helper, Judith Suminwa, to the talks. Tshisekedi missed past talks where Uganda's leader wanted to speak with him.
His group says M23 brings fear. They call them bad men backed by Rwanda and refuse to talk peace with M23. But Tshisekedi joined these talks via screen, which might mean he wants to help fix things.
The leaders want foreign armies out of Congo. They will watch who follows the peace rules. A team will make clear plans in 30 days.
Sick people cannot find care. Drug stores ran dry. Health helpers left or work hard hours. Bad water makes more fall ill.
Bad water came as pipes broke in Goma. People drank from the lake, which caused more illness. In January, 600 people fell ill, and fourteen died.
South Africa and Rwanda fight over this. South Africa says Rwanda gives guns to M23. The talks must fix these fights between lands.
These talks mean much for peace near the Great Lakes. But hard things stay ahead. Congo still says no to M23 talks. M23 keeps taking more land in South Kivu.
Leaders from East and South Africa met in Tanzania this Saturday. They hope to stop the war in Congo as M23 fighters hold the town of Goma and push near Bukavu.
Leaders came from Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Zambia, and Rwanda. South Africa's leader plans to join later. His land asks Rwanda to leave Congo. They say Rwanda helps M23. Rwanda says this is false.
Congo's leader, Felix Tshisekedi, stayed home but watched through computer screens. He sent his top helper, Judith Suminwa, to the talks. Tshisekedi missed past talks where Uganda's leader wanted to speak with him.
His group says M23 brings fear. They call them bad men backed by Rwanda and refuse to talk peace with M23. But Tshisekedi joined these talks via screen, which might mean he wants to help fix things.
Peace Plans Made
Leaders first met on February 7 in Tanzania. They asked all sides to stop fighting, wanted planes to fly to Goma again, and asked for help reaching hurt people. Old peace tries from Nairobi and Luanda must work better.The leaders want foreign armies out of Congo. They will watch who follows the peace rules. A team will make clear plans in 30 days.
Help Needs to Grow
The World Health Organization sees bad times in North Kivu. It fights broken health places. Some work but need drugs. Not enough helpers stay.Sick people cannot find care. Drug stores ran dry. Health helpers left or work hard hours. Bad water makes more fall ill.
Bad water came as pipes broke in Goma. People drank from the lake, which caused more illness. In January, 600 people fell ill, and fourteen died.
Big Changes Needed
The talks look for deep fixes to the fights. They want foreign armies to leave Congo. A team from East and South Africa will check if peace plans work.South Africa and Rwanda fight over this. South Africa says Rwanda gives guns to M23. The talks must fix these fights between lands.
These talks mean much for peace near the Great Lakes. But hard things stay ahead. Congo still says no to M23 talks. M23 keeps taking more land in South Kivu.
