Ruto said that leaders of the East Africa Community (EAC) bloc had agreed to hold an extraordinary summit to address the current conflict in Eastern Congo.

The M23 rebel movement, reportedly backed by Rwanda, has advanced swiftly this month in the Democratic Republic of Congo's mineral-rich but conflict-riven eastern borderlands, raising fears that the fighting could spill over into a regional war. Rwanda denies accusations by the U.N. and others that it backs M23.

EAC leaders have faced significant challenges in addressing the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite multiple summits and peace initiatives, such as the Luanda process, their efforts have often been criticized for lacking effectiveness and failing to produce lasting solution

Three years into their insurgency, the M23 rebels now control more Congolese territory than ever before and have vowed to seize Goma, the capital of North Kivu province and home to about 1 million people. (Reuters)