Doha: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kenyan President William Ruto have reaffirmed their commitment to seeking a diplomatic solution to the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

According to Qatar News Agency, Secretary Rubio held a phone conversation with President Ruto in which they discussed regional issues, particularly the conflict in eastern DRC, including the recent takeover of the cities of Goma and Bukavu by the March 23 Movement (M23).

The M23’s advance marks the most serious escalation in years in the conflict in eastern DRC. The UN Security Council, in a statement last night, called on Rwanda’s military to immediately cease support for the M23 and withdraw all its forces from Congolese territory “without conditions.” The 15-member Council unanimously adopted a resolution, crafted by France, urging both the DRC and Rwanda to return to diplomatic negotiations in order to reach a lasting peaceful resolution. The resolution strongly condemned “the ongoing assault and advance of the M23 in North and South Kivu with support from the Rwandan Defense Forces,” demanding an immediate halt to hostilities and a pullback of forces.

The M23’s capture of the two largest cities in eastern Congo has raised fears of a larger war, while Rwanda denies the accusations from the Congolese government and the UN of providing military aid to the movement. The DRC accused Rwanda of using the M23 as a proxy to plunder its mineral resources, such as gold and coltan, which is used in smartphones and computers. In response, the United States has imposed sanctions on a Rwandan minister and one of the rebels over their alleged roles in fueling conflict.