UN chief Ban Ki-moon and African leaders are calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They also say a peace-making force could be sent to the country if required. The decision was made at crisis talks in Kenya.
The summit involved UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and African leaders including President Joseph Kabila of Democratic Republic of Congo, and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
Fighting between the government forces and rebels have escalated in the Democratic Republic of Congo in past weeks, causing a severe humanitarian crisis in the country.
Following the summit a communique was issued.
Moses Wetangula, Kenyan Foreign Affairs Minister, said, "The great lakes region will not stand by and witness incessant and destructive acts of violence by any armed groups against innocent people in the DRC. To this end, if necessary, the great lakes regions will send peacemaking forces into the Kivu province of the DRC to ensure that there is peace."
Regional leaders also called on the UN Security Council to strengthen the mandate of its peacekeeping force there and give it adequate resources.
Tanzanian President and African Union Chairman Jakaya Kikwete says former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, who was nominated by the UN as special envoy to eastern Congo, will meet rebel leader Luarent Nkunda for further talks.
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