Zambia and Tanzania have urged an immediate ceasefire and an end to hostilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Raising concerns over the escalating violence, the two nations stressed the importance of dialogue among all parties to secure lasting peace.
Their appeal was made in a joint communique following the third session of the Zambia-Tanzania Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) in Livingstone.
“The commission echoed calls for a ceasefire by the warring parties and dialogue by all stakeholders to find an amicable solution,” the communique stated.
The statement reaffirmed support for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and its security organ Troika, currently chaired by Tanzania.
It also praised the SADC and East African Community (EAC) for holding their first-ever joint summit to address peace and stability in DR Congo.
Zambia and Tanzania warned that continued conflict could trigger a refugee crisis, destabilizing regional trade and security in an already fragile area.
The M23 rebel group has expanded its control in eastern Congo since December, capturing key cities like Goma and Bukavu.
More than 7,000 people have died in the conflict this year, Congo’s Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka told the UN Human Rights Council.
