THE leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) stood firm yesterday in refusing to hold direct talks with the Rwanda-backed M23 militia group that has made major military advances in the east of the country.

In an interview with the BBC, the country’s Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka insisted that the DRC was open to negotiations with Rwanda, recognised by the United Nations and other observers as being the M23’s key backers.

A report by UN experts last year said that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops had crossed the border and were fighting alongside the M23.

Though Rwanda has continued to deny any involvement, Ms Tuluka told the BBC: “The fact remains that the aggressor of the territorial integrity and of the sovereignty of the DRC is Rwanda.

More than 8,500 people have been killed since fighting in the east of the country escalated in January, according to Congolese authorities.

The fighting has caused one of the world’s major humanitarian crises, with hundreds of thousands forced to flee to safety.

Angolan-brokered peace talks came to nothing last December after Rwanda demanded that the DRC government talk directly to the leaders of the M23 militia.

After the talks stalled, the M23 advanced quickly and took control of the major cities of Goma and Bakavu in January and February.

Further mediation efforts last month, led by other African nations including South Africa, called for an immediate ceasefire, the exit of “uninvited foreign armed forces” on DRC territory and for direct negotiations between “state and non-state parties including the M23.”

Though Rwanda continues to deny involvement in the conflict, international pressure is mounting for it to acknowledge its role and to withdraw its troops.

The United States recently imposed sanctions on some officials in Rwanda, including government minister James Kabarebe. Rwanda dismissed the sanctions as “unjustified.”

The European Union has suspended “defence consultations” with Rwanda and said it is reviewing a memorandum of understanding signed last year over raw materials.

Ms Tuluka welcomed the moves by the EU, saying that “the illegal exploitation of resources” is one of the main causes of the conflict.

The DRC accuses Rwanda of targeting the valuable mineral deposits in the east of the country, a claim it denies.

Ms Tuluka insisted that only direct talks with Rwanda and a removal of their troops from the DRC would guarantee a ceasefire and resolve the conflict.