The European Union (EU) on Friday called for immediate and concerted diplomatic efforts to find peaceful resolutions to the armed conflict in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement issued by the EU's Portuguese presidency, the EU expressed its grave concern at recent developments in the region and particularly at the ongoing military confrontations.
The violence is causing increasing numbers of displaced persons and human suffering is now widespread, particularly in the Kivu Provinces.
The EU welcomed the initiative taken by foreign ministers of the DRC and Rwanda to meet on Sept. 3-4. The two ministers will discuss prospects for the normalization of bilateral relations and the urgently required solution of the problems of the armed groups operating in eastern DRC.
"The EU remains strongly committed to furthering stability and development in the region and will to this effect continue its support to regional cooperation and to the individual countries in the region," said the statement.
New fighting was reported Thursday between the DRC's armed forces and troops loyal to renegade general Laurent Nkunda in Katale area in Masisi region, about 65 kilometers from Goma in North-Kivu province.
Between five to nine people were reportedly killed earlier in the week following fierce fighting between the two warring troops.
The DRC's Defense Minister Chikez Diemo has once again appealed to the insurgents to embrace the path of dialogue proposed by the government.
If more attacks occur, he warned, government security forces will use all means at their disposal to dislodge the rebels from their positions.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article