Congo's president says he is going to launch a unity government, as violence spreads across the country's east and pressure mounts over his handling of the crisis. On Saturday, in some of his first statements since Rwandan-backed rebels captured major cities in eastern Congo,

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kenyan President William Ruto urged an immediate ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo during a phone call, the State Department said on Friday.

Amid growing unrest in eastern Congo, President Felix Tshisekedi has announced plans to establish a unity government. As Rwandan-backed rebels capture major cities and tensions rise, Tshisekedi emphasizes the importance of unity and reaching out to opposition groups to address the crisis and stabilize the region.

The Rwandan government has condemned the US decision to sanction a government minister for his alleged role in the conflict in the east of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rwanda's government has asserted solidarity with a top official sanctioned by the U.S. over violence in eastern Congo

The United Nations Security Council condemned Rwanda for backing a rebellion in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and ordered its troops to withdraw from the country.