KIGALI, Rwanda

The Group of Francophone Ambassadors denounced an offensive by the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

In a joint statement Thursday, a day after the rebels seized the mineral-rich town of Walikale in North Kivu province, the diplomats expressed concern over the rapid deterioration of security in eastern Congo since the beginning of the year due to the offensive.

“We are concerned about the devastating humanitarian consequences of this offensive and the human rights violations committed against the population, in particular cases of sexual violence against women and the forced recruitment of child soldiers,” the envoys said in a statement read by Swiss Ambassador Chasper Sarott.

The diplomats had gathered at a ceremony to celebrate International Francophonie Day in the capital Kinshasa.

The envoys expressed their support for peace processes and dialogue aimed at resolving the conflicts in Congo and the Great Lakes region.

“We call for sincere talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda for its support to the M23 in order to reach a lasting and peaceful settlement of a conflict that has plunged the Congolese population into too much mourning and which carries with it serious risks of destabilizing the entire Great Lakes region,” they said.

The M23 rebel group confirmed in a statement Thursday that they had seized the town of Walikale, located in an area rich in minerals, in their latest advances in North Kivu province.

Congo and others accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing the group. Rwanda, however, denies the allegations.

The diplomats accused Rwanda of violating Congo’s sovereignty and reaffirmed their commitment to the independence and territorial integrity of any French-speaking country.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, called for an immediate ceasefire and an unconditional cessation of hostilities during talks this week in Doha, Qatar.

The conflict has led to the displacement of thousands of citizens to surrounding territories and neighboring countries, according to the UN.