Ban Ki-moon calls for cease-fire in Congo

NEW DELHI, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Friday he is hopeful two U.N. envoys can help bring about a cease-fire in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ban said during a visit to the Indian capital of New Delhi that he has dispatched two envoys to the war-torn African country and Rwanda in the hopes of brokering a cease-fire agreement from rebel Congolese leader Laurent Nkunda, the Voice of America said.

Nkunda has led National Congress for People's Defense rebels to the Congolese city of Goma and is threatening to attack the city if the international community cannot arrange a proper cease-fire agreement.

Ban says the rebel leader should avoid such an attack and should continue to honor a unilateral truce he announced following his advancement on Goma.

"I also urge this General Nkunda of CNDP to disengage and keep this cease-fire declaration which he has made and engage in dialog," the U.N. official said.

The Voice of America said the situation in Goma marks the most recent intensification in the lengthy conflict between Nkunda and the Congolese government.