Growing international pressure could temporarily ease fighting between the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebel coalition and pro-government forces in eastern Congo, but a consolidated ceasefire remains unlikely unless the Congolese government enters direct talks with the rebels; otherwise, the AFC/M23 will likely sustain/resume its push toward the city of Bukavu, whose fall would expose Congo to mounting instability, including nationwide unrest and a potential military coup. On Feb. 8, the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held a joint summit aimed at easing fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Following the summit, the EAC and SADC issued a joint statement calling for an ''immediate and unconditional'' ceasefire between the AFC/M23 rebel coalition and the Congolese government, as well as for both sides to engage in direct negotiations. In addition, the statement called for the neutralization of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda,...
