US calls on Rwanda, DR Congo to de-escalate

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaking during a press conference. PHOTO | OLIVIER DOULIERY | AFP

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Rwanda's leader on Tuesday and pressed for a de-escalation after a new flare-up in tensions with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kinshasa's military late last month accused Rwandan forces of entering its troubled border area, a claim denied by Kigali, which has also been accused of backing rebels in Eastern DR Congo.