Congolese and Rwandan presidents meet in Qatar to discuss east Congo conflict

Over in Africa, the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda convened in Qatar to address the escalating conflict in eastern DRC, in their first in-person encounter since hostilities resurged in the region earlier this year.

President Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda met in Doha on Tuesday, facilitated by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The leaders jointly called for an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" in eastern DRC, to stop the ongoing violence that has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.

The conflict intensified in January when the M23 rebel group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, captured key cities in the mineral-rich eastern region of the DRC.

The DRC government accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, while Rwanda denies the claim, asserting its forces act in self-defense.