Amid tensions tensions between two East African countries, French President Emmanuel Macron met leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo over rebel activity near their common border.
The three leaders met on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. They agreed to “intensify lasting co-operation to fight impunity and put an end to activities of armed groups in the Great Lakes region,” Macron stated.
They had agreed to work together for M23 rebels to withdraw from occupied areas “as soon as possible” and for displaced people to return.
The insurgent group has controlled parts of DR Congo’s northern province since June.
Earlier on, while addressing the General Assembly, the Rwandan President Paul Kagame stated that “blame game doesn’t solve problems”.
Kagame supported a regional initiative to end resurgence of fighting in eastern DR Congo but said it will “require consistent financial support from the international community”.
In his address on Tuesday, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi had criticised Rwanda’s support for M23 rebels. Rwanda has consistently denied supporting the group.