President Hage Geingob, the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, has joined the international community in calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He also urged armed groups, including M23, to disarm.

President Geingob's call for peace in the DRC follows an upsurge in armed conflict in the north of the central African country, where M23 rebels are accused of running amok and have taken control of two towns in Eastern Kivu Province.