The alert was issued in a joint statement in which they said they were “concerned by the ongoing clashes near the border with Burundi,” stressing that the situation could destabilize the entire region.

They added: “We urge AFC/M23 and the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) to immediately stop their offensive operations in eastern Congo, particularly in South Kivu, and we call on the RDF to withdraw from Congolese territory.”

The statement also calls on AFC/M23 “to return to its initial positions and comply with the fundamental commitments” contained in the Doha agreement it signed with the Congolese government.

These countries further expressed concern over the continued use of “suicide drones” in the conflict, saying their deployment shows a dangerous escalation that poses serious risks to civilians.

Since early last week, heavy fighting has resumed in South Kivu between AFC/M23 and a coalition of Congolese government forces including the FARDC, Burundian troops, the FDLR and Wazalendo militias.

M23 has managed to capture several areas, including the city of Uvira the second largest in South Kivu which the group entered on the evening of Tuesday, December 9.