African Union commends DRC, Rwanda 'commitment to dialogue'
The African Union on Wednesday welcomed peace talks that took place a day earlier in Qatar between the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, calling on the parties to maintain the momentum.
Qatar unexpectedly announced that it had hosted Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi for talks on Tuesday, though the terms of a possible ceasefire remained unclear.
"The chairperson commends the statesmen of the DRC and Rwanda for their commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolution of the crisis in eastern DRC," the organisation said in a statement attributed to newly elected African Union head Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
READ MORE: Rwanda, DR Congo leaders meet in Qatar
"Their engagement reflects true leadership and a shared recognition that peace, security and stability are indispensable for the prosperity of their nations and the wider Great Lakes region," the African Union statement said.
It urged all stakeholders to "maintain the momentum generated in Doha" and build on the leaders' commitment "to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire".
Fighting in the mineral-rich east of the DRC recently intensified with the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group launching a lightning offensive and capturing two provincial capitals within a few weeks.
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