Diplomats from Europe, the United States and United Nations are converging on the Democratic Republic of Congo in an effort to end fighting that has sparked a growing humanitarian crisis.
U.N. special envoy Alan Doss and the top U.S. diplomat for Africa, Jendayi Frazer, have arrived in the eastern Congolese city of Goma, which remains threatened by rebels just 15 kilometers outside the city.
The rebels led by General Laurent Nkunda declared a cease-fire on Wednesday to allow movement of aid workers and thousand of displaced locals. Many residents headed away from Goma today to try to get back to their homes. But the U.N. refugee agency said today (Friday) that it has received "disturbing reports" that another 50-thousand people have been forced from displaced persons camps near the city of Rutshuru, which the rebels captured earlier this week. The agency says other aid groups report the camps have been looted and burned.