The African Union has issued a joint communique, calling for an immediate cessation of fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo where rebels have seized two transit towns while advancing towards a provincial capital in the east of the country.
DR Congo expelled the Rwandan ambassador, accusing Kigali of supporting the M23 rebels who are now threatening the city of Goma.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied the allegation that it supports the rebels. The town of Kiwandja fell to rebel hands on Saturday, potentially cutting off the regional capital, Goma, from the north of mineral-rich North Kivu province.
The African Union has urged all the parties to dialogue and has called on them for peace talks in Kenya next month.