Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame called for a ceasefire in eastern Congo on Tuesday during their first meeting since M23 rebels stepped up an offensive there in January.

The presidents of Congo and neighboring Rwanda have met in Qatar for their first direct talks since Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized two major cities in mineral-rich eastern Congo earlier this year

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Congo amidst ongoing conflict. Facilitated by Qatar, the meeting sought to halt M23 rebel aggression.