Leaders from eastern and southern Africa have called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Congo, where rebels are threatening to overthrow the Congolese government. The leaders urged Congo's president to engage in direct negotiations with the rebels. The rebels, known as M23 and backed by Rwanda, recently seized Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, resulting in significant casualties and displacements.
The joint summit included leaders from the East African Community bloc and the Southern African Development Community. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the summit, with tensions arising due to the deployment of South African troops in eastern Congo to combat the rebels.
