African blocs' summit ends with demand to enforce ceasefire in eastern Congo, reopening supply routes

• Summit seeks resumption of direct negotiations with all parties involved, including M23 rebels

• Leaders agree on plan for neutralization of 'Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda,' Rwanda’s disengagement of forces from Congo

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

A joint summit of the two major African blocs, which ended in Tanzania on Saturday, adopted a resolution asking regional defense chiefs to provide "technical direction" to enforce the ceasefire in conflict-hit eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and the reopening of main supply routes and Goma airport.

The summit was called to address the conflict in eastern Congo, which began with the M23 rebels' attack on Goma and subsequent seizure last month, causing thousands to flee and raising concerns about regional security and humanitarian aid.

Since last month, nearly 3,000 people have been killed in the North and South Kivu provinces of Congo.

Earlier, Congolese officials declined to engage with Rwandan President Paul Kagame during an East African Community summit, citing allegations that Rwanda supports M23 rebels.

The extraordinary summit, hosted by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city, brought together heads of state from the 6-member East African Community (EAC) and the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi attended the summit virtually while his Prime Minister Judith Suminwa represented Kinshasa in person.

According to the joint declaration, EAC and SADC leaders directed defense chiefs from both blocs to meet within five days to assist in "enforcing an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities."

They will direct efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, including repatriation of victims and medical evacuations.

M23 now claims control of Goma and has declared its own administration in the city.

The summit called for an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" and directed leaders of the two blocs to work on "securing" Goma and surrounding areas, as well as developing strategies for reopening main supply routes and Goma airport.

The statement strongly condemned the attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies, and staff in Kinshasa and urged Congo to ensure the protection of lives and property in the country’s capital.

The summit directed the resumption of direct negotiations with all parties involved, including M23 rebels, under the Luanda-Nairobi framework.

The leaders agreed to implement the “Concept of Operations” of the harmonized plan for neutralization of “Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda,” as well as the lifting of Rwanda's defensive measures and disengagement of forces from the Congo, in support of the role of the Luanda and Nairobi processes.

It added that a joint meeting of EAC and SADC ministers will be convened within 30 days to review the progress of the defense chiefs' directives.

Kinshasa claims Kigali for backing the M23 rebels and accused Rwanda of sending its forces to eastern Congo when the latest offensive began. Kigali has repeatedly denied allegations of backing M23.