Macron hosts talks on Rwanda and DR Congo tensions

Amid tensions between the two East African neighbors over rebel activities along their shared border, French President Emmanuel Macron met with the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The three leaders got together on Wednesday in New York, outside the UN General Assembly.

According to state-run France 24, the leaders seek to "intensify long-term cooperation to fight impunity and put an end to armed organizations' activities in the Great Lakes region."

The M23 rebels have committed to leaving occupied areas "as quickly as possible," according to a tweet from the Congolese presidency, adding they will cooperate to allow displaced civilians to go home.

Since June, the rebel organization has had partial authority in the northern province of DR Congo.

Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, had just informed the General Assembly that "blame games don't solve problems" before the meeting began.

To stop the war in eastern DR Congo from resuming, Mr. Kagame backed a regional approach but noted that it would "need regular financial backing from the international community."

Félix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, criticized Rwanda for supporting the M23 rebels in his speech to the General Assembly on Tuesday.

Consistently, Rwanda has denied sponsoring the organization.