DR Congo, Rwanda approve de-escalation

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The Congolese presidency said, on Wednesday, that the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to a "de-escalation process" after weeks of rising tensions over rebel fighting in eastern DRC.

It claimed that a "roadmap" for restoring diplomatic relations had been devised, including putting a stop to conflicts involving the M23 militia in the eastern DRC.

The statement follows Wednesday's negotiations between Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, and Felix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Luanda, the capital of Angola.

The small central African nation of Rwanda has always disputed the DRC's accusations that it is supporting the M23.

The M23, or "March 23 Movement," is a predominantly Congolese Tutsi rebel organization that initially gained notoriety in 2012 when it briefly took control of the eastern Congolese city of Goma before being expelled by a joint UN-Congolese offensive.

The M23, which had been largely dormant for years, started fighting again last November after charging the Congolese government with breaking a deal to include its troops in the army.

The rebels have made major gains in eastern Congo as a result of fierce combat. An important border town called Bunagana in the Congo-Uganda region was taken over by M23 fighters last month, for instance.

Following their discussions on Wednesday, the three presidents agreed to a "de-escalation procedure between the DRC and Rwanda," according to the Congolese administration.

This entails creating a joint DRC-Rwanda group, whose inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place in Luanda on July 12, as well as a plan for re-establishing relations.

The plan requires the M23 to end hostilities, and the "development of natural resources in the region must be done in strict respect of the sovereignty of states," according to the Congolese presidency.