U.N. calls for implementing of agreements

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, April 9 (UPI) -- The United Nations and the African Union are calling on leaders in Congo take steps to implement agreements made for peace.

Olusegun Obasanjo and Benjamin Mkapa, the U.N. and AU special envoys for the African region that includes Congo, released a statement Thursday that admonished a fresh wave of violence led by newly formed rebel groups.

Obasanjo and Mkapa called on leaders in the country to support peace and take steps to implement agreed-on measures to improve stability in the volatile North and South Kivu regions in eastern Congo.

"Rapid and faithful implementation is key to success, and (we) urged them to fully implement the agreements, in accordance with their stated commitments and agreed timetable," Obasanjo and Mkapa said in a released statement.

"After years of conflict and humanitarian crisis, the region is now yearning for peace, and ... the international community is expecting full implementation of the agreements."