In Tanzania, leaders of eastern and southern African regional blocs called for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” in eastern Congo as they met this weekend for an unprecedented joint summit. This is Veronica Nduva, secretary general of the East African Community.

Veronica Nduva: “The joint summit directed resumption of direct negotiations and dialogue with all state and nonstate parties, military and nonmilitary, including the M23.”

Also in attendance was Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who’s come under mounting pressure over the presence of Rwandan troops in eastern Congo and Rwanda’s backing of M23 rebels — though Kagame continues to deny any involvement.

The U.N. says some 3,000 people were killed in just one week of fighting after rebels seized the key city of Goma in late January. Over half a million people have been displaced in eastern Congo in recent weeks, compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis. There have been widespread reports of sexual violence.